Explorer

Slovakia approves defense military treaty with US

Bratislava, Feb 10 (AP): Slovakia's parliament and president on Wednesday approved a defense military treaty with the United State.

Bratislava, Feb 10 (AP): Slovakia's parliament and president on Wednesday approved a defense military treaty with the United States.

The Defense Cooperation Agreement passed 79-60 in the 150-seat legislature in a vote split between lawmakers from the four-party ruling coalition and the opposition.

The treaty allows the U.S. military to use two Slovak air force bases — Malacky-Kuchyna and Sliac — for 10 years while Slovakia — a NATO member like the U.S. — will receive USD 100 million from the U.S. to modernise them.

The deal was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Slovakia's defense minister, Jaroslav Nad, on Feb. 3 in Washington. It was ratified by President Zuzana Caputova on Wednesday.

The parliament vote took place amid fears that Russia will invade Ukraine. Moscow has massed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, but insists it has no plans to attack. The European Union nation of Slovakia borders Ukraine.

The treaty was backed by the government of Prime Minister Eduard Heger, who said it will “significantly enhance our security.” But the agreement was fiercely opposed by the opposition, which claims it compromises the country's sovereignty, makes possible a permanent presence of U.S. troops on Slovak territory and even enables a possible deployment of nuclear weapons in Slovakia.

The Slovak and U.S. governments have rejected those charges.

“Nothing in today's agreement creates permanent U.S. bases or troop presence in Slovakia, and the agreement fully respects Slovakia's sovereignty and laws,” Blinken said during last week's signing ceremony at the U.S. State Department.

Thousands rallied Tuesday against the agreement in front of the parliament building in the capital of Bratislava when lawmakers were debating it.

The U.S. has such agreements with 23 other NATO members, including Poland and Hungary, two other countries that border Ukraine on the eastern flank of the alliance.

Any particular deployment of U.S. forces still needs approval by the Slovak government and parliament. (AP) IND IND

(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Delhi Confirms Receiving Diplomatic Note From Dhaka Over Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina's Extradition
Delhi Confirms Receiving Diplomatic Note From Dhaka Over Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina's Extradition
Legendary Filmmaker Shyam Benegal Passes Away At 90
Legendary Filmmaker Shyam Benegal Passes Away At 90
PM Modi On Germany Christmas Market Attack: ‘Pains My Heart When There Are Attempts To Spread Violence’
PM Modi On Germany X-Mas Market Attack: ‘Pains My Heart When There Are Attempts To Spread Violence’
Video: Haryana Minister Anil Vij Suspends Cop After Sobbing Woman Complains: 'Who Are You To Stop FIR?'
Video: Haryana Minister Anil Vij Suspends Cop After Sobbing Woman Complains: 'Who Are You To Stop FIR?'
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Sambhal News: Two New Corridors Found in Ancient Stepwell Excavation in ChandausiLucknow Police Encounters Robbers, Arrests Trio Involved in Bank Heist, One InjuredSambhal Stepwell Excavation: Truth to be Revealed, Major Discoveries Await - ABP NewsProtests Outside Allu Arjun's House Over 'Pushpa 2' Stampede Incident, Accused Granted Bail

Photo Gallery

Embed widget