§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the aims of the visit of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence to Slovakia in August 1994; and what agreements were reached with the Slovak authorities as a result of that visit.
§ Mr. SoamesMy noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence visited Solvakia in August 1994 to represent the United Kingdom at the commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the Slovak national uprising. During discussions with the Slovak Defence Minister it was agreed that units of the armed forces of the Slovak Republic and of the United Kingdom should in future co-operate through a series of joint military exercises and that our respective military authorities would meet jointly to develop proposals. It was further agreed that this would be complemented by a programme of closer and more substantial military contracts.