“The Blue Beret binds us together”

The President of the Soldiers for Peace International Association visited Hungary at the invitation of Defence State Secretary István Szabó. SPIA is an UN-supported organisation, whose members are among others veteran soldiers, who took part in different UN peacekeeping missions. The Association promotes peace-mission tasks among young people, encouraging them for active participation – even through undertaking military reserve service.

The primary purpose of the President’s visit was to sign the accession declaration of MATASZ, by which the Hungarian Reserve Corps has become a full member of the organisation under his leadership. By means of the signature the Mission Branch of MATASZ can represent the former Hungarian Blue Berets within the organisation.

On behalf of the Ministry of Defence Lajos Erdélyi, Deputy State Secretary for Human Policy welcomed the participants at the event, who called the accession of MATASZ a happy and successful moment. Mr. Laurent Attar-Bayrou pointed out that he held his visit to Hungary a unique opportunity to get acquainted with great people, with whom they can serve the same noble cause. “Blue Beret binds us together, this obliges us to serve our countries and the international community" – the President underlined.

“To participate in the United Nations peacekeeping work is a serious and uplifting task’ – Ret. Brig.-Gen. Ernő Széles, the MATASZ President pointed out. As he said, those members of the Hungarian reservist community, who can serve its realization, will take pride in it.

During his several-day visit, Mr. Laurent Attar-Bayrou could have first-hand experience of the operation of the HDF Peace Support Training Centre (HDF PSTC) on the site; he could meet veteran and active Hungarian military peace observers, peacekeepers, and visited the Kratochvil Károly Military Secondary School and Student Hostel in Debrecen.