CTBTO and Slovakia agree to strengthen cooperation
The head of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Lassina Zerbo, visited Slovakia from 21 to 22 October 2014.
In a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Miroslav Laj?ak, it was decided to further deepen the cooperation between Slovakia and the CTBTO, in particular in the field of training activities for on-site inspections. The CTBTO is about to launch its largest-ever on-site inspection simulation, the Integrated Field Exercise (IFE14), in Jordan.
In a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Miroslav Laj?ak, it was decided to further deepen the cooperation between Slovakia and the CTBTO, in particular in the field of training activities for on-site inspections. The CTBTO is about to launch its largest-ever on-site inspection simulation, the Integrated Field Exercise (IFE14), in Jordan.
Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo (left) and Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Miroslav Laj?ák.
Zerbo also met Slovak State Secretary at Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Peter Burian. Both images courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic.
Meeting with State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Miloš Koterec. Image courtesy of the Slovak Ministry of Defence.
By offering our capacities for training of CTBTO inspectors, my country strives to play an active role in developing and enhancing the unique verification regime with the aim to achieve its full preparation for the moment of the Treaty's entry into force.
To that effect, a draft Memorandum of Understanding was discussed, which will formalize Slovakia’s support in future OSI trainings and equipment testing, in particular through the provision of an exercise site and related logistical and administrative support.
Zerbo also visited Slovakia’s national nuclear authority, the CTBT National Data Centre and held a lecture at the Slovak Academy of Sciences.
Slovakia was one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, in September 1996 and March 1998, respectively. It has hosted on-site inspection exercises such as one of the CTBTO's first field experiments and equipment tests in 2001.