Hungary assumes leadership of V4 defence cooperation

Organized by Poland, which transferred the rotating presidency of the Visegrád Cooperation in July, the meeting of defence ministers aimed at reviewing the related results of the Polish presidency and the transfer of presidential baton within the field of defence. The Hungarian delegation was headed by Deputy Minister Tamás Vargha, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.

Tamás Vargha thanked the Polish presidency for its work, which is highly appreciated by Hungary because it has helped a lot to advance the reputation of the V4 cooperation and further enhance its political visibility. The strength of the Visegrád Cooperation lies in unity. Today, Central Europe’s image is that of a region in which there is vitality and common goals, and which consists of capable countries.

Poland led the Visegrád Group in a period during which we had to face numerous changes and uncertainties. The start of the presidency was influenced by Brexit, which contributed to a more lively debate on the future of the EU. The solution to the migration crisis continued to be delayed, and unsettling tendencies appeared in relation with the stability of our southern and eastern neighbors. The Polish presidency performed successfully in this difficult environment, as the Visegrád Group stood up – visibly and in an united manner, many times at NATO and EU forums –, for, among others, increasing defence spending, strengthening NATO’s role in the fight against terrorism and protecting the external borders of the EU against illegal and uncontrolled migration.

The deputy minister informed his counterparts about the defence policy priorities of the Hungarian presidency that commenced on 1 July. Our most important goals include coordinating our positions and channeling our interests concerning a number of strategic issues on the agenda of NATO and the EU such as the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank and the Alliance giving more effective responses to challenges from the south, as well as enhancing the EU’s military crisis management capabilities, and the continuation of operational cooperation with particular emphasis on the preparations for reestablishing the V4 EU Battle Group in the second half of 2019.

Photos: mon.gov.pl and Ministry of Defence