Viktor Orbán: Spending on Security Is Currently a Priority

The Hungarian troops participated in Exercise Iron Sword 2014 in Lithuania, which was held between November 2 and 14. They are going to stay in the Baltic republic until mid-December, where they are to join winter training events during another exercise, Baltic Training 2014. The Premier said that “this is important to us, as this is a matter of military honor on the one hand", and on the other, the troops need to test their strength in an international setting too. A military exercise is a proper venue for doing so, and their participation gains more appreciation and respect for Hungary as well", he said. He added that here everybody here spoke very highly of the participation of Hungarian units.

Viktor Orbán pointed out that Hungary is “making progress" with its commitments in NATO, and although it is not so rich a country as to be able to pay tens of billions of HUF as if it was nothing for it, we will fulfill our commitment". A large-scale development project is under way in Pápa, our troops will participate in other military exercises and we will procure modern military equipment in the next period", he said. He was of the opinion that Hungary would join the first group of NATO member states, those countries which fulfill their commitment in terms of defence spending and military technology.

Talking about the situation in Ukraine, Viktor Orbán said that the starting point should be Hungary’s historical experience, which shows that the country had already had a common border with the Soviet Union, “and we, Hungarians were not happy about it". For this reason, our country’s interest is “to make sure that there is always something between Hungary and Russia, and this can be the sovereign Ukraine", he pointed out. He said that Hungary’s interest is to maintain Ukraine’s sovereignty and to help it remain a strong and independent country which is capable of running its economy and defending its borders. “We need such a neighbor, and Hungary is willing to give assistance to it in every respect, both on a national basis and as a NATO member country", he said.

The Prime Minister stated that he can see more pride, stronger self-confidence, more discipline and higher level of readiness in today’s Hungarian armed forces. “I can say only the best of the Hungarian troops", he added.

Following the NATO Wales Summit in September, Minister of Defence Csaba Hende announced that Hungary, – as part of the reinforcement measures aimed at strengthening the eastern flank – was going to join the military exercises to be conducted in the region. 2500 troops from nine NATO countries have participated in Exercise Iron Sword 2014. Most soldiers of the 140-strong Hungarian contingent are drawn from the 39th infantry battalion of the HDF 5th “Bocskai István" Infantry Brigade. They are to stay in Lithuania until mid-December, and will participate in various winter training events during Exercise Baltic Training 2014. The Hungarians, together with a Lithuanian company and some US companies, form a battalion-level unit, and have their billeting area in Rukla, where they are co-located with US troops.

Photo: Barna Burger