Tibor Benkő: The United Kingdom is a major supporter of European security

The Ministers signed a bilateral co-operation agreement building on the results of the dynamically developing political relations between Hungary and the United Kingdom. The goal was to strengthen the defence policy and the military-to-military relations, with the emphasis to find forms of co-operation even under the changing framework, following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Before meeting with his partner, the Minister had a discussion with the Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, the Minister of State for Defence, The Rt Hon Earl Howe over a working lunch, where such current security challenges were covered, as the hybrid type of threats, or the challenges of the cyber warfare. The Minister highlighted that Hungary is situated at the intersection of the “Eastern and Southern challenges"; therefore the development of the defence capabilities based on the nation’s own resources and on the co-operation with NATO and the EU is a crucially important issue.

Following the working lunch, Tibor Benkő stated that owing to Europe’s deteriorating security environment the collective defence again became the main task. We live in an age of strategic surprises, where the security challenges are increasingly complex, diverse. After twenty years of decline, the defence spending of NATO Member States is once again on the rise, which ensures the development of capabilities and along with this the creation of the security for Hungary and for the Hungarian people.

Hungary assumes her share of the burden of the allied efforts, gradually, as scheduled, is increasing her expenditure, so even before 2024 the defence expenditure can reach the 2 percent of the GDP – the Minister pointed out.

After meeting with the Minister of State, the UK reserve forces and cadets system were also discussed.

As the main item on the agenda, Minister of Defence Tibor Benkő and Britain’s Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with an aim to further strengthen the defence policy and military-to-military relations. After signing the document, Minister of Defence of Hungary said that the relations with the United Kingdom with significant European and global influence are of paramount importance for Hungary. “Great Britain is not only the cornerstone of the transatlantic security (NATO), but also a major supporter of the European security, contributing to the consolidation of the EU’s global presence. The security of the Union and the United Kingdom are closely linked" – the Minister added.

Tibor Benkő highlighted that with signing the agreement, the defence ministers of the two countries professed faith in the commitment towards the common security and the development of the relations. “I believe that it is right to speak frankly about the values and interests that are vital for us, because this is the way to find those points, along which our relations can be further developed" – he noted.

The Minister of Defence added: “I am sure that numerous opportunities will be offered for the development of our defence policy and military-to-military relations, and in the next period the experts of the ministries have to make efforts to fill these with tangible content, real achievements. Hungary regrets, however, that the United Kingdom is leaving the EU, but fully respects the decision. This is just one more important argument for us to pay more attention for the strengthening of our relations in the coming era" – the Minister said.

Photos of the Ministry of Defence