Minister of Defence Discusses Security of European Union in Malta

The Minister was attending an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in the Maltese capital of Valletta. In the telephone interview, he said that the development of defence capabilities is beginning to receive increasingly higher emphasis within the European Union. This is probably because European citizens feel less safe, he added, stressing that in addition to developing defence capabilities, it is also important to increase financial resources in the future. Mr. Simicskó pointed out that during the meeting it had also been stated that the EU must find new solutions for challenges from the South, terrorism, human smuggling and arms trafficking.

The meeting was also attended by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, which, according to Mr. Simicskó, is unusual, and indicates that close cooperation between NATO and the European Union is required to guarantee security. It is important for administrations to reinforce inter-governmental cooperation, he said, adding that this is what would be acceptable to Hungary from a military perspective.

He pointed out that the V4 cooperation is an excellent example of the kind of cooperation that is required. According to the Minister, the idea that the EU should establish a so-called defence fund to facilitate military research and development through the provision of community funds is also a correct path to follow. Mr. Simicskó also said that in the interest of handling migration, the EU should come to an agreement with Libya, where the situation is currently unstable. However, it is not only important to provide funding to Libya and to reinforce the country’s security forces, but the protection of Libya’s southern border must also be strengthened and Egypt must also become involved in resolving the situation.

Photos: Domenic Aquilina (EPA), Ministry of Defence and nato.int