The soldiers will join the Canada-lead battalion of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence to defend the Alliance’s eastern border.
The Slovak soldiers will operate at the Ādaži training camp in Latvia, with the option to be deployed also to Lithuania, Estonia and Poland.
The presence of Slovak troops in the Baltic states, as part of two six-month rotations, will cost Slovakia around €10 million.
“I’d like to emphasise that partly by deploying the soldiers [to Latvia], we’re clearly confirming that we’re a credible partner for NATO that is meeting its obligations in a responsible way,” said Slovak Defence Minister Peter Gajdos.
Two Slovak military liaison officers, stationed in Latvia since November 2017, are preparing for the arrival of Slovak soldiers in Latvia.
As reported, a Canada-lead NATO battle group is in Latvia since last June comprised of more than 1,000 multinational troops, as well as armor, armored transport and combat support.
