BRATISLAVA, February 27, (WEBNOVINY) – On Monday, Slovakia will become the commanding country of a part of the international ALTHEA operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Defense Minister Lubomir Galko approved taking over the task of the commanding country in the south regional coordination center of the ALTHEA operation in BiH. Up to now the south regional center was commanded by German officers.
“It is an important matter for Slovakia. To be a commanding country means international prestige. We were considering this offer for several weeks. I am glad that we finally agreed upon this,” Defense Minister Lubomir Galko commented earlier in February. In addition to earlier tasks, Slovak peacekeepers will also take over the responsibility for coordination of activities with other involved countries, maintaining contact with local authorities and communication with the command of the entire ALTHEA operation.
The Slovak contribution to the ALTHEA mission has changed at the beginning of this year, when the guard unit was withdrawn and was replaced by professional soldiers who were deployed in contact monitoring teams. Slovak troops are also active in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and UNFICYP in Cyprus. A total of 532 professional soldiers from Slovakia are deployed abroad.
SITA