Prague  - The Czech Republic and Slovakia have agreed to form a joint military unit of 1,500 soldiers, reports said Saturday in Prague-based newspapers.

The unit is expected to operate from 2009 in the European Union.

The project is one of the largest between the two countries since they split amicably in 1993, Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova and Slovakian Defence Minister Jaroslav Baska said at the signing of the agreement.

The unit would form part of the EU's planned rapid reaction force for international conflicts. (dpa)