SLOVAK arms producers should supply NATO countries, Slovak President Rudolf Schuster said in discussions with US Ambassador to Slovakia Ronald Weiser and Slovakia Defence Minister Juraj Liška, the news wire TASR wrote.
Schuster addressed US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld with a similar offer last year. Following the NATO enlargement by seven countries, including Slovakia, two months ago, Rumsfeld expressing America’s willingness to help Slovakia in this regard.
Before 1989, numerous Slovak companies focused on the production of military technology. After the fall of the iron curtain, the industry declined severely, leaving many people unemployed.
According to Liška, Slovakia can offer BOZENA mine-clearing equipment as well as cabins, currently being used by missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
However, no specific details have been arranged yet.
"It's only an idea," Liška said.
He went on to say that US defence secretary representatives are expected to visit Slovakia to inspect arms production.
Weiser has promised to help organise a series of meetings to improve Slovakia's chances of supply NATO countries with its products.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
