Hungarian Arms Control Inspectors Are Among the Best

Created in the early 1970s, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)
was the forum for negotiation between the East and the West with the participation of
independent and non-aligned countries which also played an intermediary role. As a result
of the Helsinki process, the opposing parties signed the Vienna Document on Confidence-
and Security-Building Measures in 1990, which has been revised several times since, in 2011
for the last time. Co-sponsored by the HDF Command and Doctrine Center (HDF CDC)
and the Zagrab-based Centre for Security Cooperation (Regional Arms Control Verification
and Implementation Assistance Centre, RACVIAC), the course started in the building of the
Ministry of Defence on Balaton Street in Budapest on March 4. It prepares the commanders
of military formations and units for the implementation of the provisions of this document.

The course objective is to train the participants in their duties during inspections and
evaluation visits according to the Vienna Document 2011. The theoretical lectures are
delivered in the Ministry of Defence, and the practical activities are carried out on the HDF
86th Szolnok Helicopter Base. The course is running until March 7 with 36 participants from
12 nations. Several Hungarian military leaders are also attending the course, coming from
HDF units involved in the evaluation of the Hungarian Defence Forces in accordance with the
Vienna Document.

Speaking at the course opening on Monday morning, Col. (Eng.) Béla Tamási, the acting
commander of the HDF CDC welcomed the participants, then Ambassador Branimir Mandic,
the director of RACVIAC wished them successful days.

Lt.-Col. (Eng.) Csaba Csoknyai, a senior officer working at the HDF CDC Arms Control
Department told us that the general principles of the course had not changed in the last 18
years, but naturally, the organizers regularly update all courses “with the present tense", since
the subjects covered must always harmonize with current historical, military and geopolitical
developments. Speaking about the professional standards of the Hungarian arms control
experts, he said that they had been among the best in Europe, which is also evidenced by the
fact that their badges appear on more and more occasions at European military installations,
aerodromes and other facilities concerned. “The Hungarian experts have extensive theoretical
knowledge and practical skills, and have already achieved significant results" – he added.

Photo: László Tóth