Defence Minister Martin Glváč (source: TASR)
The shipment is already prepared to be sent, Defence Minister Martin Glváč said after the government session on March 11, adding that the ministry is currently dealing with some legislative technicalities. The Defence Ministry last October announced that apart from ammunition, it would also offer humanitarian aid and demining training to the Iraqis.
Neighbouring Hungary is also considering sending around 100 soldiers. The unit would provide patrol and protection tasks in the Iraqi region of Kurdistan.
Slovakia is not sending any troops to this mission so far. “We haven’t been asked for such assistance," said Glváč, as quoted by the TASR newswire.
“We have prepared a list of things we are willing to help with, and to donate,” Glváš said, according to the SITA newswire. He added that ministry is holding talks with the US Embassy to Slovakia.
Last autumn, Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák mentioned also the possibility of assisting with the training of the Iraqi army. “We are aware of our responsibility, as this is a threat that does not concern just us – so we won’t close our eyes,” he said in September 2014.
The Defence Ministry has offered de-mining training at the Trenčín-based Centre of Excellency for Decommissioning of Explosives. Ministry spokeswoman Martina Balleková told the Denník N daily on March 11 that so far, Iraqi government has not responded to the offer.
