Hungary Is a Committed NATO Ally
Szöveg: honvedelem.hu / MTI | 2015. január 28. 9:00“The security situation is developing unfavorably along NATO’s Eastern borders, Russia is keeping Ukraine under pressure, and continues to support the separatist forces” – these are the conclusions drawn at the two-day meeting of NATO Chiefs of Defence in Brussels, which ended on Thursday, January 22, Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő, Chief of the Defence Staff told Hungarian News Agency MTI.
The Chiefs of Defence were briefed that the intensity of hostilities had increased between the opposing forces in the region of the buffer zone in Ukraine, and Russia would continue building up its military capabilities in the next period.
While discussing the mounting threats to the Southern flank of the Alliance, NATO military leaders concluded that in North Africa and the Middle East, “the conditions provide opportunity forthe activity of extremist organizations and for spreading their ideology". In their assessment of the situation, “the return of radicalized foreign fighters with combat experience gained in terrorist groups has a long-term impact on the security situation of a given region".
On the first day of the two-day meeting, the Chiefs of Defence discussed the tasks involved in the implementation of the Readiness Action Plan (RAP) as well.
In his contribution, Tibor Benkő reaffirmed that Hungary is a committed supporter of the RAP, as he also told MTI. He highlighted the planned modernization of Pápa Air Base, which may form part of the strategic infrastructure needed for the deployment of NATO forces. He announced that Hungary offers the use of the Várpalota military training area for conducting exercises. He also said that Hungarian troops will actively participate in NATO’s key exercises in 2015.
The expanded session with the Ukrainian Chief of Defence, originally scheduled for the second day of the meeting, was finally cancelled, but as Tibor Benkő emphasized, Hungary still considers it important to support Ukraine. So far, it has offered Ukraine the rehabilitation of 20 soldiers wounded in action. In the field of training, last year Hungary provided 20 Ukrainian soldiers with opportunity to attend a 500-hour NATO STANAG language course. Furthermore, a decision has been made to delegate a Hungarian liaison officer to the NATO Liaison Office in Kiev.
Photo: nato.int
