Washington D.C, 9 April 2022 (TDI): The US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Slovak Minister of Defense Jaroslav Nad.
In the call, the Secretary of Defense appreciated and commended Slovakian military aid to Ukraine. Particularly, he saluted Slovakia for providing a critical S-300 air defense system to Ukraine. Furthermore, the two officials discussed the defensive system’s significant role in supporting Ukraine and saving.
Moreover, the Slovak Defense Minister expressed gratitude to Secretary Austin for the US European Command’s upcoming repositioning of a U.S. Patriot system in Slovakia. The move aims to help ensure deterrence and defense of NATO territory from potential Russian aggression.
US-Slovakia Relations
The US and Slovakia established formal diplomatic ties in 1993. Previously, the country was part of Czechoslovakia and the communist bloc. After its independence, Slovakia received assistance from the US to support the rebuilding of its democracy and market economy.
In addition, Slovakia joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004. Since then, it has been an active military ally of the US. Meanwhile, the United States and Slovakia have strong diplomatic ties and cooperate in the military and law enforcement areas. The US assistance provides support to Slovakia’s development of its armed forces. U.S. assistance aims to help Slovakia “consolidate its gains and maintain its development as a positive and stabilizing influence among its neighbors, in the region, and globally.” See More
Furthermore, economic relations between the two are well-established. Slovakia is a member of the European Union. The US exports energy equipment, medical equipment and supplies, electrical and electronic machinery and components, automotive parts and components, chemical products, and plastics to Slovakia. Its imports from Slovakia are dominated by Volkswagen and Audi sport utility vehicles that are manufactured in Slovakia. Moreover, both nations have a bilateral investment treaty.
Slovakia participates in the Visa Waiver Program. The program allows nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
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