Visiting Slovakian defense minister yesterday said
China's policies
have a direct impact on NATO members, and called for transparency
in the US missile defense project because it is supposed to be
based in neighboring Poland and the Czech Republic.
Frantisek Kasicky told China Daily that the constantly
changing global security situation has prompted Slovakia to
perceive the US proposal as a defensive shield against potential
missile attacks.
"The missile defense project will undoubtedly have an effect on
the security of all European states, members and non-members of
North Atlantic Treaty Organization alike. Therefore we should
emphasize the need for transparency when discussing this issue with
NATO members, as well as Russia," he said.
"We believe the extent and nature of the planned defense system
is for defense purposes and doesn't pose any threat to the security
of Russia."
Kasicky said a new level of cooperation between China and NATO
countries is needed for crisis management, reconstruction and
development.
Beijing's policies have a direct impact on NATO members as the
bloc gets more engaged in China's neighborhood, he said.
"China is an important player in today's increasingly
interdependent and interconnected security order, and we are
pleased to see China-NATO ties developing in the right direction
gradually."
As a member of NATO, Slovakia will continue its efforts to
improve military exchanges with China, as well as the bloc, Kasicky
said.
Praising the development of Sino-Slovakian military ties, he
said that since 2004 his country has sent six military officers to
Guangzhou to learn kung-fu or Chinese martial arts. This year,
Slovakia sent its first military doctor to Second Military Medical
University in Shanghai to study traditional Chinese medicine.
"On the other hand, Chinese military officers have been visiting
Slovakia every year to study our military experience and get to
know our beautiful country," he said.
"We appreciate China's widening support and increasing
contributions to the UN peacekeeping operations, especially in
Sudan," said Kasicky, whose country is at present a temporary
member of the UN Security Council.
"We hope to deepen the dialogue and cooperation on the future
status of Kosovo so that we can reach a workable solution during
China's presidency of the UN Security Council in July."
Kasicky reached Beijing on Sunday. He will leave for Shanghai
tomorrow.
(China Daily July 5, 2007)
