frameworks. This is also confirmed by Art. 3 of the North Atlantic Treaty, in accordance with which the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack. Maintain the ability to generate defence capacities for the most dire threat scenario – – an armed attack 75) To responsibly approach national defence, it is required that adequate defence capacities to solve most probable threat scenarios to the Slovak Republic are continuously maintained, along with the ability to timely generate defence capacities able to confront even the most dire threat scenario – an armed attack against the Slovak Republic. 76) In line with its security interests, Slovakia will push for strengthening collective defence and deterrence as part of NATO’s long term adaptation to the fundamentally changed security environment. To this end, Slovakia’s defence efforts will primarily contribute by AF SR capability development, taking part in joint rapid reaction forces and by maintaining a high level of preparedness of the HNS. Slovakia will also contribute its Armed Forces to NATO-led missions and operations abroad. As part of fulfilling NATO’s cooperative security task, Slovakia will coordinate with Allies its efforts to boost arms control and disarmament, military transparency and confidence building measures. It will also support the transformation of the armed forces of candidate and partner nations including their training and also to support the development of NATO’s partnerships, with an accent on its strategic partnership with the EU. 77) Slovakia will contribute to the effectiveness and credibility of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the EU, which also includes contributing forces and AF SR resources to EU military missions and operations, as well as to EU rapid reaction forces. In order to support the development of EU partnerships with other international organisations and states, Slovakia may provide a military contribution in the area of defence capacity building of partners. At the same time, Slovakia will support the effective cooperation of EU member states in military capability development, especially as regards high-end capabilities. 78) In accordance with its security and foreign policy aims, as well as international law, Slovakia will involve itself in UN missions. 79) Slovakia will participate in international defence cooperation within NATO and the EU primarily with the other Visegrad Group countries, with an aim to effectively mitigate capability shortfalls. This especially concerns intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber defence, air policing cooperation, strategic transport, training, multinational logistical support and other capabilities. Slovakia will maintain not only its leading role in the NATO Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre of Excellence based on its territory, but also its partnership with Poland in leading the NATO Counter-Intelligence Centre of Excellence based Poland. 42 WHITE PAPER ON DEFENCE

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