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Spanish national flag raised at NATO Force Integration Unit Slovakia (NFIU SVK)'s HQ building at Vajnory Barracks in Bratislava

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

29.09.2023

The NATO Force Integration Unit Slovakia (NFIU SVK) has been joined by Spain, represented by Lt Col Adolfo Leña Pajares, with effect from 1 September 2023. The Spanish national flag was raised at the NFIU HQ's building during today's flag raising ceremony.

Participants in attendance included Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer, Spanish Ambassador Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos, ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps, Commander Headquarters Multinational Division-Centre (HQ MND-C) Brig Gen Tibor Králik (SVK A), Commander NFIU SVK Col Marián Kurilla (SVK A), colleagues from the Slovak Armed Forces, and other guests.

The latest contribution to NFIU Slovakia comes as the Spanish government has decided to boost its presence on NATO's eastern flank, following the NATO summit in Vilnius this summer. As a result, service personnel of the Spanish Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de España) will soon significantly bolster the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia (NATO MN BG SVK), thereby adding to a further strengthening of Slovakia's defences.

In his keynote speech, Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer said: "After Russiaʼs invasion of Ukraine when out of a sudden we found ourselves in a completely new security reality, there was a need to demonstrate the Allianceʼs cohesion, solidarity, deterrence and readiness to defend itself collectively against any threat. NATO has never been stronger and more united as we can see it in Slovakia, thanks to the presence of Allies with whom Spain is now joining forces in our country."

NFIU Slovakia assists in coordinating military training and exercises and supports the reception, staging, onward movement and integration (RSOI) of Allied forces in the region to enhance Alliance responsiveness. Last year, it played an active role in building NATO MN BG SVK. The staff working at NFIU SVK come from nine NATO nations: Czechia, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, the UK and the USA.