Csaba Hende: Hungarian Troops Have Performed Best by All Measures on Military Exercise in Lithuania
Szöveg: honvedelem.hu / MTI | 2014. november 25. 9:00“By all measures, the Hungarian troops have performed best during the international military exercise held in Lithuania”, Minister of Defence Csaba Hende said on Monday, November 24 in the program “Today morning” broadcast by Hungarian television M1.
On Sunday, November 23 Minister Hende and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited the Hungarian rifle company which has been deployed in Lithuania for two months. Talking in the program of M1, the Minister of Defence said that under the scenario of the exercise, together with Lithuanian, US, British, Danish and Canadian forces, the Hungarian troops were getting ready for countering an attack which threatened Lithuania from the east. The Hungarians are performing their duties with dedication, discipline and outstanding professionalism in Hungary and abroad – in Afghanistan, the Balkans and during the ongoing exercise in the Baltic state. Speaking in Vilnius, Viktor Orbán said that spending on security is currently a priority, and the government has approved the funding needed for the Hungarian troops’ participation in the exercise in Lithuania.
The Prime Minister said that “this is important to us, because it is a matter of military honor on the one hand", and on the other because the troops need to test their strength in an international setting too. A military exercise is a proper venue for doing so, and their participation gains more appreciation and respect for Hungary as well", he said. He added that everybody here spoke very highly of the participation of Hungarian units. The Prime Minister stated that he can see more pride, stronger self-confidence, more discipline and higher level of readiness in today’s Hungarian armed forces. “I can say only the best of the Hungarian troops", he added.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Hungary is “making progress" with its commitments in NATO, and although it is not so rich a country as to be able to pay tens of billions of HUF as if it was nothing for it, we will fulfill our commitment". A large-scale development project is under way in Pápa, our troops will participate in other military exercises and we will procure modern military equipment in the next period", he said. He was of the opinion that Hungary would join the first group of NATO member states, and be among those countries which fulfill their commitment in terms of defence spending and military technology.
