The defence ministers of the Visegrád Group (V4) countries are meeting in Ostrava, Moravia, to discuss the defence priorities of the Czech presidency of the Group, as well as current professional issues relating to the V4’s activities within NATO and the European Union.

The meeting is being hosted by Czech Minister of Defence Lubomir Metnar, with Hungary represented by Minister of Defence Tibor Benkő, Poland by Minister of National Defence Mariusz Plaszczak, and Slovakia by Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš.

The Czech Republic took over the presidency of the V4 from Slovakia for a period of a year on 1 July. “Within the field of defence policy, the one-year Czech presidency would like to place particular emphasis on closer cooperation between the countries of the Visegrád Group, the joint deployment of soldiers in foreign missions, joint military exercises, and improving the equipment of the member states’ armies”, Lubomir Metnar had previously stated as the Czech presidency’s targets within the field.

According to Czech Defence Ministry spokesperson Marek Vala, in Ostrava the four ministers will also be discussing current professional issues relating to the V4’s activities within NATO and the European Union.

On Saturday, the defence ministers taking part in the meeting will view the “NATO Days” exhibition at Ostrava Airport, as well as a presentation by various military aircraft. A JAS-39 Gripen fighter and a Mi-24 helicopter will be representing the air force of the Hungarian Defence Force at the NATO Days in Ostrava.

(Ministry of Defence/MTI)