The General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations (GDNDPIR) of the Ministry of National Defence Dr Konstantinos Balomenos held on Friday 31 March 2023, a working meeting with the Ambassador of Slovakia to Greece, Ms Marcela Hanusova.
The main focus of the discussion was the strengthening of the bilateral defence relations between Greece and Slovakia and the examination of the security environment in Europe, the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean, as shaped by the latest geopolitical developments in the wider region.
In particular, the General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations and the Slovak Ambassador had the opportunity to exchange views on:
• The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the broader geopolitical environment.
• The refugee crisis and illegal migration, which are major problems for the EU countries.
• Common bilateral challenges and security threats.
• How to deepen bilateral defence relations between the two countries and strengthen their cooperation within NATO and the EU.
In addition, Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos focused on:
• The actions taken by the GDNDPIR for the conclusion of a Defence Agreement between the Ministries of Defence of Greece and Slovakia.
• The initiative of the GDNDPIR to strengthen the bilateral defence relations between Greece and the countries of the Visegrad Group (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia), and to inform them of developments in the management of the migration issue by Greece. In this context, the procedural issues of the Slovak delegation’s visit to Athens and the Evros region in early June 2023 were also discussed.
• The participation of the Slovak Minister of Defence and his delegation in the international defence & security exhibition DEFEA 2023, which will be held from 9 to 11 May in Athens.
• The problems and possible consequences of the Ukrainian crisis in the EU and the Western Balkans both in terms of energy and security.
Finally, Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos and Ambassador Marcela Hanusova agreed that the strong diplomatic, economic and defence axis between Greece and Slovakia is a pillar of stability, security and peace for the wider region of Europe.
