Defence Minister Tibor Benkő received Colonel General Milan Mojsilovic at a courtesy visit. The Serbian chief of staff came to Hungary at the invitation of Lieutenant General Ferenc Korom, Commander of the Hungarian Defence Forces.

At the meeting, the Minister said relations between Hungary and Serbia are outstanding, and military cooperation between the two countries, too, is continuously strengthening. Mr Benkő stressed that there will be a need for friendly cooperation also in the future, and we must find ways to extend cooperation. They agreed that this building work – the fostering and intensification of relations – must be continued. Colonel General Mojsilovic highlighted that the former leadership of the Hungarian Defences Forces laid down robust foundations.

The parties spoke about the possible ways of managing illegal migration which affects both countries. In this regard, the Western Balkans region is of strategic importance not only for Serbia, but also for Hungary. Therefore, in the interest of the safety of the Transatlantic region and the strengthening of NATO’s cohesion, Hungary wishes to maintain its involvement in peacekeeping missions at the current level, in which it also relies on Serbia’s support.

At the meeting, the parties pointed out that the military technology agreement signed by Hungary and Serbia in April 2019 is a major help in the implementation of the Zrínyi 2026 Defence and Armed Forces Development Programme.

Mr Benkő confirmed that Hungary continues to support Serbia’s accession to the European Union which could further enhance Central Europe’s security.

At the talks, the parties also spoke about joint military exercises, the continuation of UNFICYP missions and continued cooperation in the Ohio National Guard.

The Serbian military leader laid a wreath at the memorial of war heroes, following which the visit continued at the Hungarian Defence Forces Headquarters where the Hungarian party informed him in a plenary discussion about the organisational reform of the Hungarian Defence Forces, the Defence and Armed Forces Development Programme, and the possibilities of the future development of training cooperation between the two countries’ defence forces.

In conclusion of his visit to Hungary, Colonel General Mojsilovic visited troops where he had an opportunity to acquaint himself with the mission and tasks of the Hungarian Defence Forces Explosives Disposal and Navy Regiment 1 through dynamic and static demonstrations.

(MTI)