The Spanish Verification Unit attends the Vienna Document event organised by Slovakia

•  Representatives from 20 OSCE countries visit the 51st Wing at Presov Air Base and the General Milan Rastislav Armed Forces Academy

Two representatives from the Spanish Verification Unit (UVE) of the Defence Staff (EMAD) attended the event organised by Slovakia, in compliance with the Vienna Document 2011 (VD11), which consisted of a visit to the 51st Wing at Presov Air Base and the General Milan Rastislav Armed Forces Academy in Liptovsky Mikulas.

During the visit, various pieces of equipment used by the Slovak Armed Forces were presented, such as the Zuzana 155mm self-propelled howitzer and the Leopard 2 A4 battle tank. A lecture was also given on the curriculum for cadets of different ranks taught at the Academy.

A total of 33 delegates from 20 countries of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) attended, including a representative from the OSCE's Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC).

The delegates attended lectures given by each of the units and had the opportunity to learn about the facilities, personnel instruction and training, equipment used, and daily activities of the units visited, as stipulated in DV11.

There was also an opportunity to talk to staff, view static and dynamic exhibitions, and learn first-hand about the recruitment and training system for cadets in the Slovak Armed Forces. Before the event ended, attendees completed an evaluation, which was satisfactory as it met the requirements stipulated in the DV11 agreement.

The Spanish Verification Unit is responsible for ensuring compliance with the conventional arms control treaties and agreements signed by Spain within the framework of the OSCE, in order to contribute to the development and strengthening of international peace, stability and security.

In this regard, DV11 establishes that participating States must organise, at least once every five years, a visit to an air base and a military installation. These visits are known as “DV Events”. Spain plans to organise its event next November in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.