Central European nations agree to set up joint combat force
From AFP: Defence ministers from Visegrad Group states grouping the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia agreed Friday to create a 3,000-strong joint combat unit to be put at the EU's disposal.
"We want to put into place a combat unit for EU forces before the end of the first quarter of 2016," Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra told reporters at Litormerice, north of the capital Prague. . . .
The unit will be under Polish command and its first exercise is due to take place in 2015, before it becomes fully operational, Vondra said.
From CTK: The joint statement was signed by Vondra, his Hungarian and Polish counterparts,Csaba Hende and Tomasz Siemoniak, and Slovak ambassador to Prague Peter Brno who acted on behalf of the newly appointed Slovak defence minister, Martin Glvac. . . .
The V4 representatives today agreed to continue with joint military training after NATO´s mission to Afghanistan ends. Approximately 3600 Czech, Hungarian, Polish and Slovak troops are operating within the Afghan mission now. . . .
The Visegrad Group countries also plan joint purchases of military equipment. . . .
Siemoniak said the V4 countries discussed their stances before the forthcoming NATO summit in Chicago.
"Our joint voice will certainly be very well heard in Chicago," Siemoniak said. (photo:Agnieszka Pomaska/Polish Parliament)
