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Slovakia–United States relations

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Slovakia–United States relations
Map indicating locations of Slovakia and USA

Slovakia
United States
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Slovakia, Washington, D.C.Embassy of the United States, Bratislava

Slovakia–United States relations are bilateral relations held between the United States and the Slovak Republic, particularly since the latter's independence in 1993. According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 27% of Slovaks approve of U.S. leadership, with 32% disapproving and 41% uncertain.[1]

History

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US President George W. Bush and Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic meet at the White House in October 2008.

Jan Polerecky, a Slovak trained by the French military, fought for the United States during the American Revolutionary War. A request for the creation of the Lincoln Riflemen of Sclavonic Origin was approved by President Abraham Lincoln and this unit was later incorporated into the 24th Illinois Infantry Regiment.[2]

A wave of Slovakian immigration to the United States started in 1873, following a cholera epidemic and crop failure. Around 500,000 Slovaks immigrated to the United States from 1899 to 1915, with 1905 being the highest year for Slovakian immigration at 52,368 admitted. The United States currently has the second-highest Slovak population in the world, only behind Slovakia.[2]

The Slovak Republic that formed by breaking away from the Second Czechoslovak Republic was not recognised by the United States. Slovakian diplomats attempted to contact the United States through countries that recognised the Slovak Republic, but were unsuccessful. The United States' policy was that Slovakia was under German occupation.[3]

The United States had a consulate in Bratislava from 1 March 1948, to 27 May 1950.[4]

The United States established diplomatic relations with Slovakia in 1993.[5] Paul Hacker was the first diplomat to represent the United States and started his tenure as chargé d’Affaires ad interim on 4 January 1993. Theodore E. Russell was the first American ambassador to Slovakia.[6]

Military

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On 8 June 2003, in support of the United States-led Multi-National Force – Iraq, eighty-five Slovak military engineers were sent to Iraq. They were stationed at Camp Echo, near Al Diwaniyah, and primarily took part in anti-mining operations.[7] In 2004, Slovakia became a member of NATO.[8]

American soldiers entered Slovak territory in 2015 as they traversed Slovakia to reach Hungary in order to take part in a military exercise, named Brave Warrior.[9] In October 2016, Slovakia hosted a military training exercise, named Slovak Shield, which included military forces from the United States, as well as soldiers from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary.[10]

In 2018, Slovakia signed a U.S. defence package deal of $1.6 billion for increased military investment of delivery of vehicles and systems, delayed by COVID-19.[11] On July 22, 2024, the U.S. Air Force delivers the first of the promised 14 F-16 Fighting Falcons to the Slovak Air Force.[12]

Resident diplomatic missions

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Embassy of Slovakia, Washington, D.C.
Embassy of the United States, Bratislava

See also

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References

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  1. ^ U.S. Global Leadership Project Report - 2012 Gallup
  2. ^ a b Slovaks in America: A Chronology.
  3. ^ Cude 2022, pp. 104, 110–111.
  4. ^ U.S. Embassy in Slovakia.
  5. ^ United States Department of State.
  6. ^ Chiefs of Mission for Slovakia.
  7. ^ Carney, Stephen A. (2011). Allied Participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom (PDF). United States Army Center of Military History. p. 108. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 2, 2015.
  8. ^ "Bush Welcomes New NATO Members". British Broadcasting Corporation. 29 March 2004. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  9. ^ "US convoy will pass through Slovakia to NATO drill in Hungary". The Slovak Spectator. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  10. ^ VanDyke, Micah. "US forces, NATO allies conclude Slovak Shield 2016". United States Army. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  11. ^ Seckinger, D.R. "2018 Investment Climate Statements: Slovak Republic". U.S. State department. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "Slovakia gets first new F-16s to boost air defence". Reuters. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.

Works cited

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Books

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Web

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.

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Media related to Relations of Slovakia and the United States at Wikimedia Commons

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