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Poland needs more NATO troops: defence minister

PR dla Zagranicy
Alicja Baczyńska 29.09.2018 12:00
Speaking at the Saturday meeting of NATO’s Military Committee in Warsaw, Poland’s Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak appealed for more allied states’ troops in Poland, according to a report.
NATO's Military Committtee convenes in Warsaw. Photo: PAP/Jacek TurczykNATO's Military Committtee convenes in Warsaw. Photo: PAP/Jacek Turczyk

Błaszczak told the attendees: “[Poland sees] the possibility of boosting the military presence of the allied forces in [NATO’s] eastern flank,” Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

The step “would increase the credibility and effectiveness of the [alliance’s] deterrence and defence mission, becoming its integral part,” he said.

The United States is reviewing whether siting a permanent US base in Poland is a viable option, IAR said.

During last week’s meeting with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, President Andrzej Duda officially requested a permanent deployment of US troops to Poland.

Washington is a key military ally for Warsaw which, fearful of Russia, has been pressing for a permanent US base in Poland.

Over a thousand allied troops arrived in the country as a result of decisions taken at the 2016 NATO Summit in Warsaw.

The NATO Military Committee meets twice a year at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, and it also meets in an allied member country once a year.

Poland joined NATO in 1999.

(aba)

Source: IAR

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