New York, Sept 28 (CTK) – After many years of almost full absence from U.N. missions, the Czech Republic has decided to gradually return to the operations, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said at the summit on the fringes of the current U.N. General Assembly today.
“This step of the Czech government reflects our interest in being a responsible member of the international community,” Sobotka said.
Sobotka said in the months to come, the Czech Republic would send its special forces troops to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
In addition, Prague will send its officers to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) command structure at the Golan Heights, Sobotka said.
The original mandate of the missions for 2015 and 2016 did not envisage the commitment at the Golan Heights.
Sobotka also said until now the Czech Republic had been providing 50 troops for the United Nations Standby Arrangement System (UNSAS) annually.
“We are still ready to provide our specialists from the ranks of the police, health personnel and other experienced experts,” Sobotka said.
“We will also examine the chances to provide the necessary military and medical equipment,” he added.
Sobotka is attending the summit along with Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek (both Social Democrats, CSSD).
