International defense cooperation agreements - new opportunity or threat to a state sovereignty
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Abstract
The paper aims to analyze the DCA between Slovak Republic and the USA from the point of view of state sovereignty. These kinds of agreements are nothing new in the world. Different states approach them in different variants and combinations. But the approach of the USA is hegemonic. Agreements with the US are concluded for the benefit of the US and in the interest of the US. Based on the analysis of Brandon J. Kinne, this paper analyses and compares bilateral defense cooperation agreements between the USA and the Slovak Republic. I proceed from the assumption that it is a purely vassal treaty, which makes Slovakia a second, European Puerto Rico, subordinated to the USA in the military, but also in the legislative area.
The assumption that the agreement with the USA is a vassal agreement rather than an agreement between two equal partners is confirmed. The treaty significantly limits the sovereignty of the Slovak Republic, which contradicts Article 1, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, which states that “The Slovak Republic is a sovereign, democratic and legal state”. And therefore, in this case, the Slovak authorities should follow Article 2, paragraph 2 of the Constitution which states: “State authorities can act only based on the constitution, within its limits and to the extent and in the manner established by law”. This means that the relevant ministry should not have negotiated such an agreement because it contradicts the constitution, and vice versa, to negotiate an unconstitutional agreement should have no mandate. Based on this agreement Slovak Republic lost its sovereignty in several ways. This agreement significantly affects and disrupts the sovereignty of the Slovak Republic. In our opinion, this agreement is significantly asymmetric, and favorable to the interests and needs of the stronger party. So this is an example of a vassal agreement that favors one party over another, limiting the sovereignty of one party without compensation.
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