On 25 August, Tuesday, Defence Minister Tibor Benkő received at an introductory visit Bálint Ódor, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the European Union, Representative to the Political and Security Committee (PSC) which is also responsible for common security and defence policy issues.

During the meeting, the Ambassador informed the Minister about topical issues concerning the European Union’s external relations and its common security and defence policy. At the talks, the parties also spoke about the promotion of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy. In this regard, the Minister stressed that Hungary welcomes the steps taken in this field, and supports the goals of the German presidency relating to the further strengthening of European defence capabilities and the elaboration of a strategic document defining a European security environment. In this context, Mr Benkő observed that while we regard Hungary’s interests as primary, we agree with the German presidency in that there is a need for a sincere debate among Member States regarding the threats facing Europe.

The Minister also pointed out that one of the goals of the procurements carried out as part of the Defence and Armed Forces Development Programme is to strengthen European strategic interoperability and the synergies of the defence industry. He also highlighted that we must learn from the lessons of the COVID-19 epidemic, and rely on the experiences we have gained. Therefore, Hungary will continue to make further efforts also in the area of the strengthening of European military health care cooperation. Finally, he stressed that there is a correlation between European security and illegal mass migration, and so Hungary and the Hungarian Defence Forces support the EU’s military missions in crisis zones which manage the root causes of migration and promote stabilisation.

(Ministry of Defence/MTI)