Europe’s peace and security are the most important, in preserving which both countries have their own duties and responsibilities, Defence Minister Tibor Benkő said at a joint press conference with German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer held on 16 July in Budapest.

On Thursday, German Defence Minister-Chairwoman of the governing Christian Democratic Union Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer arrived in Hungary for a two-day official visit. During the day, the politician had talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Defence Minister Tibor Benkő. After the meeting, the two ministers held a joint press conference to inform members of the press about the details of their talks.

Mr Benkő stressed the importance of the excellent defence relations that exist between the two countries. He said Hungary is procuring a significant proportion of the military equipment of the Defence and Armed Forces Development Programme from Germany. He mentioned the H145M helicopters and the Leopard 2 tanks. He thanked Germany for extensively supporting the development of the Hungarian defence industry and training, and said cooperation will continue in the future. “Based on the defence industry cooperation so far, one can clearly see that we have procured a significant proportion of our defence industry supplies from Germany. When we talk about the security of nations of the European Union, that also includes our efforts to implement a large percentage of our technical capabilities with the involvement of European nations,” Mr Benkő said, adding that cooperation is so close between the two countries that Hungary continues to look upon Germany as one of its main partners in the area of procurements.

Mr Benkő highlighted that we all have a vested interest in the safe and effective functioning of NATO and the European Union, and as part of this each country within the alliance has its own specific security policy interests which the others must take into consideration. He spoke in words of praise about the fact that Germany is identifying strategic objectives which serve the peace and security of the whole of Europe.

The Defence Minister said Europe’s peace and security were the most important topics of their talks, and in preserving them both countries have their own duties and responsibilities. He pointed out that the two nations have a number of connection points which they are able to strengthen further.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer also spoke about the successful outcome of their talks. She said in the area of security and defence policy there is outstanding cooperation between the two countries; partnerships in third countries such as the mission in Afghanistan clearly testify to this. The German minister said it is an especially joyous development that in 2025 Hungary and Germany will cooperate in the EU Battlegroup. She said Germany has faith in the expertise of the Hungarian Defence Forces, and will count on it also in the future. Regarding defence industry procurements, she said Germany hopes to further intensify this cooperation.

The German Defence Minister started her tour in Poland, and after Hungary she will conduct talks in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

(Ministry of Defence/MTI)