Slovakia’s parliament has approved a defense treaty with the United States, as Russia continues massing troops along its border with Ukraine and staging naval exercises in the Black Sea region.
The 150-seat National Council of the Slovak Republic passed the Defense Cooperation Agreement in a 79-60 vote on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.
It will allow the U.S. to use two Slovak air force bases for 10 years. A NATO member, Slovakia will receive $100 million from the U.S. for modernization efforts at the bases, the AP reported.
People were interested in these podcasts
The bilateral agreement has been in negotiations since 2018, and is a standard practice between NATO allies. So far, 23 member countries have concluded such agreements with the U.S., according to Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry. (NATO has a total of 30 members.)
“Enhancing defense cooperation with the main guarantor of our security, especially in the time of deepening uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, is a natural step for the Slovak Republic,” Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok said in a statement.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.