Russian MiGs bring tension to the coalition
But the defence minister denies any crisis.
It seems that the coalition may soon deal with another
conflict among its members. Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš, nominee of the
Slovak National Party (SNS), has decided to postpone the exchange of old
Russian MiG-29 fighter planes, criticised by his deputy, Róbert Ondrejcsák of
Most-Híd.
Gajdoš also surprised his predecessor Martin Glváč of
Smer with this decision, who admits that the government may not support the
step. The request for “a European solution” has been recently mentioned by PM
Robert Fico (Smer) as well, the Sme daily reported.
Originally, Gajdoš was expected to submit a plan for
exchanging the Russian fighters by the end of September. He then decided to ask
the government to postpone it until mid-2018.
Instead, the defence minister wants to purchase the
armoured vehicles for €1.2 billion.
No new Russian MiGs
Ondrejcsák considers Glváč’s decision to go against
Slovakia’s interests, explaining that the exchange of MiG planes is in a
strategic interest of Slovakia. The first informal talks with the global
fighter plane producers started five years ago.
“Postponing the decision to replace MiGs means the
prolongation of our dependency on Russia, which is at odds with Slovakia’s
European and pro-Atlantic orientation,” Ondrejcsák wrote on his Facebook
profile. “I can’t identify with it, neither as an expert nor public person.”
Gajdoš meanwhile stressed that there is no new coalition
crisis. Though he feels bad about Ondrejcsák’s statements, he said they have
already talked about it. Everybody wants the same: to secure the defence of the
country and safety of its citizens, he added, as reported by the SITA newswire.
The minister added that they are searching for
pro-European and pro-Atlantic solutions.
“Nobody wants to purchase MiGs,” Gajdoš told the press,
as quoted by SITA, while admitting that he also received an offer from Russia.
Slovakia has negotiated with the US and several European
countries, including Sweden.
The prolongation of the current agreement on Russian MiG
planes is only a plan B. The priority is to purchase new fighters, with the
only obstacle being finances, the minister added.
He also said the ministry will continue the modernisation
of the military.
20. Sep 2017 at 12:56 | COMPILED BY SPECTATOR
STAFF
Original post: spectator.sme.sk
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