Csaba Hende: The stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina in national interest of Hungary

Szöveg: honvedelem.hu / MTI | 2013. december 23. 6:08

The stability of Bosnia is in the national interest of Hungary therefore Hungary maintains the strength of its contingent deployed here, said Hungarian Minister of Defence Csaba Hende to the MTI in Sarajevo on Thursday.

The Minister of Defence, Ambassador of Hungary to Bosnia and Herzegovina József Pandur and other members of the Hungarian delegation were welcomed with military parade at Camp Butmir. Then Brigadier General József Szpijsák, Chief of Staff of the EU’s peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) and Colonel Ferenc Farkas, Chief of Staff of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo gave an account of on the past year of the Hungarian contingent.

Commenting to the Hungarian News Agency (MTI) Mr Hende pointed out that the lack of order and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina affects Hungary as well. As examples he mentioned the problems generated by refugees, drug and human trafficking as well as the fact that organized crime may cross borders. He added that it is more inexpensive and more efficient to address the cause than to try to contain a wide-spread crisis. The Minister of Defence also emphasized that the strategic goal of Hungary is to have all Balkan states join the Euro-Atlantic organizations because this is the only way to ensure long-term stability in the region.

Minister of Defence Csaba Hende visited the Hungarian troops in the HDF EUFOR contingent in Camp Butmir, Sarajevo

Hungarian peacekeepers have been serving in the Western Balkans since 1995. Presently, the Hungarian Defence Forces contribute to the NATO and EU-led operations with nearly 400 troops. About 160 Hungarian soldiers serve in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Major András Palatinus, Second-in-Command of the Multinational Battalion serving in the EUFOR told MTI that the primary task of the Hungarian peacekeepers is to stabilize and continuously maintain peace. They also provide assistance to the training of the Bosnian Armed Forces and since mid-July they have been taking part in the protection and defence of Camp Butmir. Major Palatinus added that they keep constant contact with different observer teams whose assistance helps the local population accept the EUFOR presence in their country. According to the Hungarian soldiers currently the situation seems peaceful in the country.

However, the Major also noted that “the political situation in the country is not simple". There have been a referendum recently and an election is coming up, he said.

Minister of Defence Csaba Hende and EUFOR Commander Major General Dieter Heidecker

On the first day of his trip in the Western Balkans Mr Hende visited the Hungarian soldiers serving on a mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Camp Butmir he met with Major General Dieter Heidecker, Commander of EUFOR and Brigadier General Merle D. Hart, NATO Commander. According to Mr Hende both the Austrian and the American generals expressed their appreciation for the performance of the Hungarian soldiers. Afterwards the Minister of Defence delivered a speech at a staff meeting ceremony, awarded appreciations and handed over presents and messages from home to the personnel, sent by their family members, friends and colleagues.

The Minister of Defence is visiting the Headquarters of the NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Kosovo (KFOR) on 13 December, where he is also participating in the staff meeting ceremony of the soldiers.