Hungary continues to remain committed to the concept that the new types of threats that are currently emerging must be managed both with national and multinational solutions.

Artificial intelligence, the impact of climate change on the defence sector and the fight against hybrid threats were on the agenda of the meeting of the EU’s foreign and defence ministers which was also attended by Defence Minister Tibor Benkő.

First, the defence ministers discussed the risks of artificial intelligence and new technologies as well as the opportunities they offer and related regulatory and ethical issues. The ministers also reviewed the possibilities of further cooperation between the EU and NATO in this field. The meeting was attended by Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Rose Gottemoeller, Deputy Secretary General of NATO.

Topics of the meeting also featured the connection between climate change and defence, and coordinated maritime presence.

Priorities of the Finnish Presidency include the fight against hybrid threats and cyber defence which also constitute priority issues in the Zrínyi 2026 Defence and Military Development Programme. Regarding these topics, the possible responses to new types of challenges were at the centre of the discussion. At the meeting, the Defence Minister highlighted that Hungary wishes to play an active part in this work as well as in the development of the necessary capabilities; this is why it wishes to join the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats.

(MTI/kormany.hu)