Defence minister: Strong national army, strong NATO guarantees of Hungary’s security

The meeting was held for the finalisation of NATO’s new draft strategy in preparation for the alliance’s upcoming summit in Vilnius next month, Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky told MTI in a statement.

He said Hungary had performed well in tasks related to NATO’s decision to strengthen its eastern flank, noting the stationing of a multinational taskforce in its territory and the establishment of the Headquarters Multinational Division-Centre’s (HQ MND-C) in Szekesfehervar, in western Hungary.

Hungary, however, has to defend itself against threats the country is facing from the south and from other directions, the minister said, making reference to the wave of migrants coming from the Balkans and the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said Hungary’s participation in performing common tasks with the third largest contingent dispatched under the KFOR mission shows the country’s commitment as an ally to NATO.

Concerning future ties between NATO and Ukraine, the defence minister stated Hungary’s continued support to the alliance’s “open door policy”, adding however that “accession of a country standing in war cannot be put on the agenda”. Szalay-Bobrovniczky repeatedly called on Ukraine to meet pledges it made for a future membership with particular regard to minority rights.