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U.S, Slovakian defense chiefs meet on cooperation

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his Slovakian counterpart Martin Glvac discussed cooperation on fight against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria during a meeting at the Pentagon on Thursday.

Hagel thanked Glvac for their contributions to NATO and international security, particularly for Slovakia's offer to donate ammunition to support the fight against the IS in Iraq, according to a statement provided by Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby.

The two leaders exchanged views on the situation in Syria, the threat posed by foreign fighters, and the importance of keeping up the pressure on IS supply lines and training facilities in Syria, Kirby said in the statement.

They also discussed investments in defense. Glvac assured Hagel that Slovakia will fulfill the obligations to which they committed at the summit in Wales, the official said.

Glvac highlighted that Slovakia committed to spending 1.6 percent of GDP on defense by 2020 and by 2016, they plan to allocate 20 percent of the defense budget for modernization.

In addition, Hagel endorsed Slovakia's modernization efforts, pledged support for Slovakia's plan to modernize its helicopter fleet, and urged Slovakia to consider U.S. origin helicopters to increase interoperablity, Kirby said. Endite