"Require taxes": Slovakia does not miss German equipment for repair - the media

According to journalists, Slovakia interprets the rules of import so that taxes should be paid for the import of military equipment from Ukraine because the country is not included in the EU. Germany has transferred to Ukraine Mars II, PZH 2000 and a number of other equipment. By agreements, it was to be repaired in Slovakia, but this does not happen because of a tax dispute. About it reports Suddeutsche Zeitung.

The German government financed the construction of a repair center near the city of Mikhailivtsi 25 km from the border with Ukraine. Under the agreement, the center belongs to the KNDS defense concern, but is funded by the government. It should repair and maintain the following machines: however, the article states that there was a case where Mars II RSZV II was idle for weeks because Slovakia needs taxes. As a result, the equipment was sent to Germany through Poland - an additional 2000 km.

Slovakia interprets European tax rules in such a way that import taxes from Ukraine must be paid because it is not a member of the EU. So the cost of repair will be much more expensive. At the same time, journalists point out that after the negotiations of the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius with Slovakia Minister Yaroslav Nadem, there are signs that the situation will change soon.