The V4 Co-operation Strengthens both NATO and the European Union
Szöveg: Ministry of Defence | 2018. november 15. 17:34The V4 Defence Ministers negotiated about the current security-defence initiatives of NATO and the EU, and about the further prospects of the co-operation of the Visegrád countries in Tátralomnic (Tatranska Lomnica), Slovakia, on 14-15 November.
Galéria
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The second day of the forum focussed on the preparation of the Meeting of the EU Defence Ministers, due on 19-20 November in Brussels. In relation to the theme, the Hungarian Minister of Defence emphasised that there is a pressing need to develop the co-operation between NATO and the European Union, and to avoid unnecessary duplications. Particular attention must also be paid to fulfilling the Wales commitments, and to maintaining the balance between the management of the Eastern and the Southern challenges – he added.
Dr. Tibor Benkő informed his colleagues that in the framework of the "Zrínyi 2026" long-term armed forces development program we will achieve all our NATO capability aspirations, and moreover, Hungary intentionally continues the manning of the corresponding NATO positions up to 100% in the future, just as she has done until now.
In the press-conference, following the meeting, the defence ministers unanimously declared that the co-operation between the V4s not only strengthens the Visegrád countries, but also the EU and NATO. As from 2019, Hungary devotes more than 20% of the defence budget to modernisation, and maintains her contribution of a 1000 strong personnel to the international peace-keeping operations, focussing on NATO operations and the Western Balkans.
As a result of the conference, the ministers of the V4 countries unanimously welcomed Croatia’s intention to join the V4 EU Battle Group (V4 EUBG) entering service in the second half of 2019. The V4 countries agreed that proper attention must be paid to the challenges coming from the South. Therefore, Hungary supports all initiatives that strengthen the joint fight against terrorism and mass migration. In relation to the Brexit talks, the Minister of Defence underlined that the exit cannot have a negative influence on the military co-operation, accordingly, Hungary supports the convening of a meeting on the level of defence ministers, in a V4+ the United Kingdom format.
Photos of Ivan Kelement
