Slovakia and CTBTO to strengthen their cooperation on training activities

The Republic of Slovakia and the Provisional Technical Secretariat of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission consider strengthening their cooperation on CTBTO training activities. In meetings with the Slovak Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jan Kubiš, and the Secretary of State in the Slovak Ministry of Defense, Mr. Jaroslav Baška, the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, Mr. Tibor Tóth, discussed a possible permanent arrangement to regulate CTBTO training exercises and workshops in the Republic of Slovakia. Mr. Tóth visited Bratislava, Slovakia, on 23 January 2007. He was invited by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jan Kubiš. Mr. Tóth expressed his appreciation of Slovakia's support to the CTBT and CTBTO training activities, and said that the cooperation with Slovakia was of great value to the CTBTO. Slovakia has a long-standing record in supporting CTBTO training activities for on-site-inspections (OSI). Under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), on-site inspections are the final instrument to verify compliance with the Treaty. Between 2001 and 2005, Slovakia hosted OSI training activities on four occasions. Plans are being made for another OSI exercise in Slovakia in September 2007. Mr. Tóth also visited the Emergency Response Centre of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Slovakia and met with its Chairperson, Ms. Marta Ziakova. The Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority is the national authority of the Republic of Slovakia and the focal point for all relations with the CTBTO. At the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Mr. Tóth discussed aspects of the CTBT verification regime with scientific experts of the Academy, the Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority and the Verification Centre at the Slovak Ministry of Defense. The Republic of Slovakia signed the CTBT on 30 September 1996 and ratified it on 3 March 1998.