Defence Minister meets Slovenian counterpart

According to a statement from the defence ministry, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said “we need to find opportunities for cooperation and strengthen our defence ties to maintain security in the region”.

The minister noted that Hungary had been protecting Slovenia’s airspace in cooperation with Italy. “Neighbours can rely on each other . we will come to each other’s aid without delay,” he said. He said Hungary and Slovenia were both participants in the EUFOR ALTHEA mission, as well as in the Central European Defence Cooperation supporting stability in the Western Balkans.

Touching upon the war in Ukraine, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said “we still see the end to the war in an immediate ceasefire and starting peace talks”.

Sending weapons or ammunition would only prolong the war, therefore Hungary refuses to do so, he said.

The two ministers also inaugurated a memorial to Hungary’s Emil Czant, a captain who died in the first world war at the Isonzo river.