Hungarian–Lithuanian Cooperation Agreement Renewed

Szöveg: László Szűcs | 2015. május 18. 9:00

“As part of our NATO commitment, Hungary will participate in the Baltic Air Policing mission with four Gripen fighters and the deploying ground support personnel for four months, between September and December 2015”, Minister of Defence Csaba Hende said on Thursday, May 14 after he and Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas signed a renewed cooperation agreement between the two Ministries of Defence.

The Minister of Defence emphasized that the agreement signed now is meant to pave the way for this four-month mission among others.

Minister Hende added that the Hungarian Air Force is not unfamiliar with this mission, because as a NATO commitment, Hungary has continuously been participating in the protection of the Slovenian airspace since October 4, 2014. “This mission is being carried out with take-offs and landings at air bases in Hungary", the Minister of Defence said, pointing out that the personnel of the Hungarian Air Force are ready for the Baltic Air Policing mission, and the legal, technical and air command and control conditions are in place for the task execution.

“The participation in the Baltic Air Policing mission is at once a huge responsibility and honor, which clearly demonstrates the high professional standards of the Hungarian Air Force and expresses Hungary’s solidarity in the Alliance. Of course, the protection of the Hungarian airspace will be continuously and fully ensured during the period of the Baltic Air Policing mission", Minister Hende emphasized.

Juozas Olekas, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania pointed out that despite the geographical distance between the two countries, “there are very close historical ties between us". “We have some challenges ahead of us which require us to strengthen our forces and resolve against an aggression that does not only shows itself in Ukraine but also in the Baltic Sea, for example", he said, adding that the most important thing now is that the allies express solidarity with Lithuania.

“Today we have discussed those challenges that our countries face and the measures we have to take in order to be able to meet these challenges properly", Juozas Olekas said, pointing out that they look forward to welcoming the Hungarian troops in the autumn.

The Lithuanian Minister of National Defence emphasized that apart from the Ukrainian conflict, there are several challenges we have to face, which require the countries to strengthen their defence cooperation.