Dr. István Simicskó: Hungarian–Serbian Military Cooperation Must Be Strengthened

The defence ministers stated that the cooperation between the two ministries has recently been very effective, and must be continued. Zoran Djordjevic spoke about an article in the Constitution of Serbia concerning the use of the armed forces, while the Hungarian side delineated the legal work done in the interest of authorizing the Hungarian soldiers’ participation in border protection tasks besides the police forces.

Dr. István Simicskó pointed out that both delegations consider the collaboration between military secret services as especially important, because information must be collected as soon as possible so that more effective measures can be taken against illegal migration. He underlined that the relations have so far been good, but the ongoing cooperation must be intensified and made even more effective.

In the interest of strengthening military cooperation, joint exercises are expected to take place in the future, the Hungarian defence minister added. He said that a number of common training programs are already under way, but their scope should be expanded in the future. He called it very important that the system of education at the National University of Public Service makes it possible for Serbian soldiers to study there, and added that they would like to mutualize it. He went on saying that Hungarian and Serbian troops have already been working together in Cyprus, and the two ministries are now looking to possibilities of extending the co-deployment of Hungarian and Serbian forces to other regions.

Dr. István Simicskó met with Zoran Djordjevic on the occasion of a Hungarian–Serbian governmental session to be held in Nis, whose topics will include seeking a solution to the migrant crisis as well.

Photo: mod.gov.rs