Prague, Oct 6 (CTK) – Hungary has asked the Czech Republic for help to protect its border from refugees and it wants mainly police officers, vehicles and construction machines, Defence Minister Martin Stropnicky (ANO) told reporters during a meeting of the National Security Council (BRS) yesterday.
He said he expected the military to send to Hungary more than 25 soldiers on whom the government decided on Monday.
Stropnicky said he would discuss the aid with his Hungarian counterpart at a NATO meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
The number of Czech soldiers to be heading for Hungary has not been defined yet. It will also depend on the equipment sent from the Czech Republic since mainly soldiers operating it will go to Hungary then, Stropnicky said.
“I would estimate it at more then 25,” Stropnicky noted.
The government decided on Monday that the Czech Republic would send 25 soldiers, five lorries, ten field kitchens and an earth borer to Hungary.
The Czech Republic should mainly provide equipment and means to extend the border fence if need be.
Stropnicky said the demand for the deployment of over 100 policemen was also on the list. He added that it would depend on Interior Minister Milan Chovanec’s stance.
The Czech Republic wants to coordinate aid to Hungary in cooperation with the Visegrad Four (V4) Group that also comprises Poland and Slovakia.
