Four former Soviet satellite states sign military treaty

According to AFP, in response to the Ukraine crisis, on March 14, four Central European countries that were once satellites of the former Soviet Union signed a military pact to coordinate in defense planning and establish a joint combat unit under the auspices of NATO and the European Union (EU).

Speaking at a conference of the Visegrad 4 (V4) group comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said: "The current situation in Europe shows that a military conflict is possible, which was previously considered impossible."

Four leaders of four countries Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia at the meeting to establish a military alliance. (Source: xpatloop.com)

According to Mr. Siemoniak, the Ukraine crisis shows the importance of "more dynamic cooperation" between V4 countries within the framework of NATO and the EU.

Mr. Siemoniak said that the "V4-EU" combat unit will be ready to participate in NATO or EU operations by 2016, asserting that V4 military cooperation is "unique" in the NATO military alliance.

Meanwhile, according to Hungarian Defense Minister Csaba Hende, "V4-EU" will include 3,000 soldiers from four countries and operate as a regional unit within the framework of NATO or EU operations.

The agreement signed by the defense ministers of the four countries also includes commitments to conduct joint exercises and coordinate defense spending./.

According to VNA