They Have Returned, Others Have Said Their Goodbyes: Welcome Back Ceremony In Budapest

At the ceremony held for the troops and policemen who have recently returned from the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) stationed in the Sinai Peninsula, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Western Saharan mission (MINURSO) and the Congo mission (EUSEC RD CONGO), after the national anthem, police Brigadier General Dr. Gabriella Somssich, the head of the Law Enforcement and Planning Department of the Ministry of Justice and Law Enforcement, and Colonel (eng.) Attila Süle, Commander, Operations Centre, Hungarian Defence Forces awarded recognitions and medals to the personnel.

Col. Attila Süle said at the event: "17 people – 12 soldiers and 5 policemen – are present from the multinational mission stationed in the Sinai Peninsula. The 38-strong military and police contingent of the Republic of Hungary participates in the MFO mission that was established in 1982, and is responsible for the operation of checkpoints, observation posts, and reporting in the security zones," emphasised the commander, who also listed the most important tasks of soldiers serving abroad: crime scene investigaton, criminal investigation, crime prevention, patrolling, conducting road safety and speed checks. He said in the course of rotations in recent weeks, the soldiers and policemen have transferred these tasks, and after six months, eighteen months, or two years of service, they are home again. "I also thank the personnel of the Ministry of Justice and Law Enforcement for their outstanding performance in the following positions: deputy contingent commander, rotation commander, detective, patrol, and crime scene investigator," added the commander, who thanked the representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Law Enforcement and the International Training and Civilian Crisis Management Centre as well for their continuous support and cooperation.

The commander specifically mentioned and greeted Colonel (eng.) Dr. Tibor Kovács, who has returned from the NATO Training Mission-Iraq. “You have made good use of your skills and special knowledge in supporting the military high command of a country operating in a tense security situation," said the commander, adding that in the second half of the eight-month Iraqi mission, Colonel Kovács has done a productive and exemplary work and met every challenge. Col. Attila Süle also greeted Lieutenant Colonel (eng.) Zoltán Séra, who has completed his eighteen-month tour of duty in Western Sahara, and First Lieutenant Gábor Kiss, returning from the Congolese mission of the European Union after two years.

Two people were officially released at the welcome back ceremony. "Since 2004, Hungarian soldiers have been participating in the NATO mission in Iraq; their achievements have earned international recognition for us. At the moment the Republic of Hungary is represented in Iraq with three persons in the NATO Training Mission," he said, then greeted Lieutenant Colonel István Juhász, who will depart soon, and Major László Sziráki, who has also undertaken the mission task.

Police Brigadier General Dr. József Boda, the director of the International Training Centre of the Ministry of the Interior, proposed a toast and thanked the relatives, families for their support. Like he said, without a stable family background, spending one and a half or even two years away from home, under difficult circumstances, is a great challenge. He also thanked the contingent for their work, and the Ministry of Defence and the Operations Centre for their help and cooperation in the preparation, deployment, and work of the troops abroad and their reintegration after their return.

The event ended with a standing reception.