(source: Andrej Galica)
Polish Ambassador to Slovakia, Leszek Soczewica, decorated two Slovak soldiers in Bratislava on January 30. Colonel Rudolf Pástor and Major Igor Červeň, each received Poland's Afghanistan Star medal. They were awarded for "excellent performance" in carrying out their duties with the Polish contingent as part of the Resolute Support operation in Afghanistan. The medal was awarded to them by Polish President Andrzej Duda.
"The bestowal of this extraordinary award speaks highly about the work of all Slovak servicemen in Afghanistan," said Chief of General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces, Milan Maxim, during the ceremony at the Polish Embassy in Bratislava as cited by the TASR newswire.
The medal has been awarded to military and civilian participants in operations in Afghanistan since 2002 and to foreigners cooperating with Polish forces during the mission.
"It was an honour for me to be on duty with the Polish soldiers in this dangerous area," said Pástor, speaking also on behalf of his comrade.
Slovak troops in Afghanistan deal mainly with training, consultancy and assisting the Afghan security forces.
