Szijjarto calls for united European response to threats in cyberspace

Szijjarto said that with the increased role of the digital world during the coronavirus pandemic, people are increasingly vulnerable to threats, criminals and extremist organisations there.

At NATO’s cyber protection centre in Tallinn, Hungarian military experts also work in the team developing NATO’s response to those challenges, he said. The issue will also be a priority of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of Europe slated to start later this month.

Estonia, a country among the five most digitally advanced nations in the world, will be an important partner in that project, he said.

Szijjarto also noted that Hungary had always seen ensuring the security of Baltic countries as a priority. At the end of 2022, the Hungarian Armed Forces will again join the forces protecting the airspace of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania with four Gripen aircraft and 95 troops, and has pledged to do the same in 2025, he said.

After the talks, Szijjarto held a joint press conference with Eva-Maria Liimets, his Estonian counterpart. Liimets said that while both countries are members of the European Union and NATO, bilateral cooperation needs to be further strengthened. She also noted the upcoming 100th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Hungary and Estonia.

The talks also touched upon topical issues concerning the region, including developments in Ukraine and Russia, the Estonian minister said.