Official: V4 countries to contribute police for protection of southern border

Budapest, October 15 (MTI) – The Visegrad Four (V4) countries have offered to send police officers to join their troops in helping to protect Hungary’s southern border, Kristof Altusz, deputy state secretary for the foreign ministry, told parliament’s foreign affairs committee on Thursday.

Altusz said the Czech Republic, which holds the rotating presidency of the Visegrad Group, and Poland have offered to send 50 officers each, while Slovakia has offered 20 to “help their colleagues uphold public order and security” on the border.

Altusz noted that 21 Czech soldiers have already arrived in Hungary and will participate in the Balaton 2015 exercise aimed at practising logistics tasks related to the state of crisis due to mass migration. He noted that 30 Slovak soldiers are also scheduled to arrive on Nov. 1 to help their Hungarian colleagues handle the migrant crisis.

Czech Ambassador Juraj Chmiel told the committee that his country will look to boost the V4 group’s inner cohesion and trust during its presidency. He said his country is especially preparing for next February, when the group will be marking its 25th anniversary.

Chmiel touched on V4 cooperation in security and cybersecurity. He mentioned the group’s V4 plus scheme, under which the four member states would establish strong cooperation with other countries such as the US, the UK or South Korea.