Tibor Benkő: an agreement was reached on the establishment of a regional operational command in Hungary

In the press conference following the two-day meeting of the ministers, Tibor Benkő said that the signatories defined the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of the special operational command to be established in Hungary by 2021 and their Full Operational Capability by 2024. The Command will be able to address the challenges coming from the East and the South, and it will also contribute to NATO’s collective security – he highlighted. The NATO-member Austria is expected to join the agreement later, and the signatory parties will later open the opportunity to participate for the other member states as well – he added.

The Minister stated that NATO must be able to respond to the changes taking place in the security environment posing risks, challenges and threats facing the whole world, and within that Europe and Hungary. The member states agreed in that the solution of the problems caused by the conflicts must be found where they arose; the possibility of peaceful coexistence must be created on site. "We must not let the problems in, which then cannot be addressed by a member state" – he stressed. This is also true for the Western Balkans, the stability and security of which given its geographical proximity is a number one priority for Hungary. Particular emphasis and attention must be paid, to address the situation in Kosovo with the leadership of the NATO Member States, and to seek a solution as soon as possible in order to preserve peace – he underlined.

Tibor Benkő said that Hungary has embarked on a serious capability development in the framework of the National Defence and Armed Forces Development Program, which means the acquisition of more equipment, among others. Thanks to this, a more effective and stronger Hungarian Defence Forces will be created, which will contribute to the NATO-capability, too. According to his briefing, in the meeting he announced that in the framework of the program Hungary increases its 1000 strong contribution to the NATO-mission to 1200.

In respect of the level of the defence expenditure undertaken by the Member States in 2014, the Minister said that Hungary has performed better with its last year 1,4 % as compared to the previously defined 1,07 %. Thus it is significantly closer to the objective of the allied states according to which 2 % of their GDP must be afforded for defence spending.

Tibor Benkő also emphasised that Hungary considers Ukraine as a friendly country not only as a neighbour; therefore – as we earlier did, we do now everything in order to restore peace and security in the county. Hungary however expects Kiev to adopt the requirements of the allied system in the spirit of the Euro-Atlantic rapprochement. "Hungary will not change its attitude, in the framework of which it undertakes the medical treatment of a further now 60 wounded Ukrainian soldiers" – he pointed out.

He also told honvedelem.hu that on the occasion of the NATO defence ministerial meeting, in an informal discussion, he drew the attention of Ukraine to comply with the Recommendations of the Venice Commission concerning the education law; at the same time, he regards it unlikely, that an essential progress could be expected before the Ukrainian presidential elections in March. The situation of the Hungarian community living in Sub-Carpathia remains to be a priority for Hungary; therefore we will not tolerate any violation to the minority rights – he underlined.

In relation to the future of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty – INF, Tibor Benkő said that Hungary endorses the NATO position, i.e. to strengthen the deterrence capability, and in addition to intensify dialogue with Moscow. "In case of deterrence, an appropriate balance should be sought, which under equivalent conditions provides an opportunity for talks strengthening confidence" – he pointed out.

As he said, although there is a war situation in Ukraine, Hungary is not under direct threat. At the same time, on basis of the collective defence principle of the military Alliance, Hungary must develop the necessary level of the defence capabilities. In this context, NATO has elaborated its defence plan – in addition to other Member States also for Hungary – taking into account all eventualities.

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