WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Ildem explained the center will be staffed by 21 Slovakian personnel combined with 20 people from Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania.
"The message is clear: NATO is here in Slovakia," Ildem stated. "We are committed to defend your country and your people against any threat or act of aggression."
"These personnel will play a vital role in military planning, exercises, and in facilitating reinforcements, if needed," Ildem noted in his speech.
Other force integration offices have been opened in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania.
However, current President Donald Trump’s past criticism of NATO has added an element of uncertainty to those plans, which were implemented to assuage concerns of US allies in Eastern Europe over Russia.
Russia has characterized NATO's moves as being against previous agreements and representing a threat to stability in Europe.
Meanwhile, NATO also opened a regional cooperation center in Kuwait on Tuesday to strengthen its relationship with Arab nations in the Persian Gulf region.
