On February 13-14, 2019, Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar took part in the NATO Defence Ministerial meeting in Brussels. The key agenda included the termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) and the situation in Afghanistan.
The Russian Federation has violated the INF Treaty on a sustained basis by developing and deploying a banned type of missiles, which led the United States to withdraw from the treaty disrespected by the other party.
“We voiced our support to the U.S. attitude. But we do not want a new arms race. We have to seek new disarmament solutions,” Minister Metnar said.
Peace talks
NATO nations are united on the future of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. Everything depends on the progress achieved in the peace talks underway.
“Together in, together out. The U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan did not indicate the United States would plan an early withdrawal of their forces. In case a drawdown occurs, it will be on the basis of agreement among Allies. The deployed Czech service personnel continue to perform missions in accordance with their authorised mandate,” Minister Metnar summed up.
The Ministers adopted an additional package of measures to reinforce NATO’s ability to defend its nations and deter any adversaries from potential attack. The most important is the Readiness Initiative, so-called four thirties (4x30). It is designed to reinforce the ability of Allies to rapidly react in crises. Within 30 days from the political decision, NATO will have 30 land battalions, 30 air squadrons and 30 combat vessels ready for deployment.
Security risk
China was also on the agenda of the Defence Ministerial. According to many Allies, there is a need to pay a greater attention to China, because it represents an increasing security risk, particularly in the domain of information and communication infrastructure, including the development of the 5G networks.
On the sidelines of the ministerial, a meeting was held of the ten nations engaged in the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) under Canadian leadership in Latvia.
“Our men and women in uniform stationed in the Baltics (55 personnel in Latvia and 230 in Lithuania) are doing an excellent job. Later this year, the Czech Armed Forces with the Gripen fighters will take over the responsibility for the provision of air policing coverage in support of our Baltic Allies,” Minister Metnar expanded.
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