CHAPTER 1 Implementation of the White Paper on Defence of the Slovak Republic (2013) 1.1 Introductory context 1) The White Paper on Defence of the Slovak Republic (2013), being the main output of the Strategic Defence Review process, provided a politicostrategic framework of long-term development of ensuring national defence. This has been absent for several years. The White Paper also laid the foundation for a systematic and coordinated approach to national defence development in the upcoming years. 2) The rise of instability in the east and south of EU borders resulting from armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, including the increased threats of terrorism and mass migration worsened the security environment in Europe with global implications. Threats have become more real and dangerous, whilst the probability of their materialising has become relative and the reaction-time required for adequate decision-making has been diminished. 3) In reaction to the worsened security environment various measures had been undertaken: a number of operative measures at the national level in order to maintain national security and to minimise security risks; measures undertaken at the NATO level aimed at enhancing its readiness and responsiveness and measures undertaken at the EU level, including sanctions and the revision of the strategic framework of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. The change of the security environment, being of a fundamental and long-term nature, demands a comprehensive, systemic and equally long-term response in the area of national defence. 1.2 Meeting The Defence Policy’s Main Aim 4) According to the Defence Strategy of the Slovak Republic (2005), Slovakia considered the main aim of its defence policy to be the security of 20 WHITE PAPER ON DEFENCE