The Chairman of the European Union Military Committee held talks in Hungary on Thursday. At a press conference held by the Ministry of Defense in Budapest, it was stated that the visit could be seen as the Hungarian EU Presidency’s opening of its military program.

Presenting the military priorities of the upcoming Hungarian EU Council Presidency, General Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the Hungarian Defense Staff, said that the EU Strategic Compass program in the fields of crisis management, military capabilities, and defense industry development should be supported. The situation in the Western Balkans remains a priority for Hungary and the Hungarian Defense Forces, and Hungary’s engagement reflects this, he noted. This year, for the first time in the history of Operation EUFOR Althea, a Hungarian commander is leading the EU military mission in the Balkans.

Photo: MTI/Máthé Zoltán

The Chief of General Staff called the development of the European rapid reaction forces important, and confirmed that Hungary will participate in the creation of the first European battle group to be established by 2025, on the basis of a new concept.

Regarding the defense industry, he said that the Hungarian EU Presidency would support the European defense technology and industrial base. “The Hungarian defense industry is an integral part of this,” he added.

Hungary supports the informal document signed by Austria, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands aimed at putting the Western Balkans “even more in the focus of the European Union,”

he noted, including through the possible future deployment of an EU rapid reaction capability if the situation so requires.

General Robert Brieger, whose visit coincided with the preparations for the Hungarian EU Presidency, said that the aim of his visit to Hungary was to strengthen cooperation and discuss key issues for the common security and defense policy.

Photo: MTI/Máthé Zoltán

“The current situation in Ukraine and the Red Sea region requires personal meetings, during which I had the opportunity to discuss current and urgent geopolitical security and defense priorities within the EU framework. I took the opportunity to reiterate the EU institutions’ thanks for Hungary’s outstanding participation in EU operations,” he stressed.

He added:

Hungary is a role model when it comes to commitment to the EU’s common security and defense policy.

Hungary’s expertise, based on its long-term experience in the Western Balkans, is of utmost importance in supporting EU efforts to build capacity and promote stability. The EU’s Operation ALTHEA is a good example of this relevant expertise, as well as of Hungary’s key role in ongoing peacekeeping efforts.”

The General concluded that the EU military objective for the next ten years is to enhance its capabilities to act as a credible security provider with viable elements and renewed ambition for the greater benefit of Member States and our regional partners.

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Via MTI, Featured image: honvedelem.hu

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