- Category: Article
The West is resetting its policy towards Russia, but the Slovak defence minister is worried whether relations will deteriorate. He points to the individual interests of EU members that prevent the bloc from acting in a unified manner, as exemplified by Nord Stream 2. "If the Germans don't solve their electricity problem after 2022, it could put them down, and that's why they need to be understood," says analyst Alexander Duleba.
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More cooperation on both climate and post-pandemic recovery, but only general conclusions on burning issues. This is how the Brussels summit can be assessed. A new Trade and Technology Council will be set up at the instigation of the partners. But it will have its work cut out to find a compromise between a passion for innovation, Europe's GDPR rules and the US security agenda in the complicated dispute over data transfers across the Atlantic.
- Category: Article
The leaders' meeting in Brussels showed that the allies will be much closer in the coming years. But relations with major powers beyond NATO's borders are the worst they have been since the Cold War. While Moscow is seen as a threat by NATO, China is a challenge to the Alliance. The summit also saw many concrete commitments, including zero military emissions by NATO members after 2050, and the opening of new operational domains for the Alliance in cyberspace and outer space.
- Category: Article
The changes in the French military presence come after the May military coup in Mali. It is not yet clear whether the European training mission, which also includes Slovak soldiers, will be affected.
- Category: Article
Yesterday, the Slovak government signed up to the document drawn up by the ministries of defence and diplomacy. Slovakia already has clear positions ahead of the NATO summit in Brussels, including a view on the "assertive behaviour of authoritarian states". After the end of NATO's largest mission in Afghanistan, it will support planning for another form of engagement in the region. More Slovak troops could also be sent to Iraq.
