Defence Ministry Proposes Deploying Slovak Soldiers to Operation ASPIDES

Bratislava, May 27 (TASR) - The Defence Ministry has submitted materials for inter-ministerial comments proceedings proposing to deploy a total of five Slovak soldiers to the operational headquarters of the European Union's Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ASPIDES in Greece. The aim of the operation is to ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation in light of the crisis in the Red Sea. The deployment of the soldiers must be approved by both the government and Parliament. "The operation was established in response to a growing number of security incidents, including attacks, arbitrary or illegal seizures of civilian and merchant vessels by the Houthi movement, thereby threatening maritime security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf region," said the ministry. The strategic role of the operation is to escort and protect civilian and merchant vessels and to enhance and maintain situational awareness in cooperation with like-minded maritime security providers. Slovakia helps to finance the operation via contributions to the European Peace Facility. The ministry has proposed that the soldiers should be deployed until the end of the mission. zel/df