Hungary and Croatia Further Strengthen Their Defence Cooperation

Minister of Defence of Hungary Dr. István Simicskó received Croatian Defence Minister Damir Krstičević on his official visit to Budapest. At a press briefing following the discussions, Minister Simicskó said that during the closed-door meeting and the plenary session, the sides reviewed the military-to-military relations of the two countries and assessed them as excellent. Besides – based on historical experience and present-day challenges – they reasserted their intention for the two countries to take further steps in the spirit of mutual respect in order to strengthen cooperation. “We are participating in an increasing number of joint exercises, and have been able to make progress in the field of joint training and education during the recent period. Our plans include the organization of a Special Operations Forces exercise of the two militaries", he added.

Dr. István Simicskó underlined that in the recent period, both countries have faced the problems of mass migration, which is accompanied by an increasing threat of terrorism. He pointed out that the Hungarians and the Croatians love their countries and want to preserve their national values in the future too. “If we join forces to achieve this here, in Central Europe, we can make it happen", the Minister of Defence emphasized. He pointed out that both countries support the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) of the European Union in the field of defence, and they agreed that PESCO members should receive development funds from the common defence fund to be established. The sides looked to the possibilities inherent in the defence industries of the two countries, and made a decision to set up a joint working group in this field.

They also made decisions about three agreements to be signed in the near future concerning air policing, air search and rescue, and radar data exchange. Besides, the Hungarian minister thanked his Croatian counterpart for his openness which makes possible the forthcoming inauguration of a memorial plaque in the Mirogoj Cemetery in remembrance of the fallen soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in World War I. He emphasized that Hungary and Croatia are among the safest countries in Europe, thanks to the cooperation of Hungarian and Croatian soldiers and the joint exercises.

Croatian Defence Minister Damir Krstičević congratulated the Hungarian Defence Forces on their 170^th anniversary, and also assessed the discussions as very meaningful. He said that the development of defence forces – and within it, defence industry cooperation – is equally important to both neighboring friendly nations: in connection with the latter, István Simicskó has accepted an invitation to the aerospace and defence exhibition to be held in Split next year.

Damir Krstičević emphasized that the present-day challenges and the quick and effective responses to them make crucial the proper flow and exchange of information. The sides discussed the security of South-Eastern Europe and the strengthening of European integration in the region. As Croatia and Hungary are both regional stabilizers, both states can contribute to the tasks of stabilization through their effective cooperation. He held it important to define the concrete forms of cooperation and the participation in joint military exercises. To this end, the two countries are going to work out a mechanism which will enable them to assess and take stock of the completed tasks, thereby contributing to creating stability in the region.

Before the discussions, Damir Krstičević visited the Croatian Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School and Campus in Zugló, where he laid a wreath by the bust of Hungarian army general Károly Knézich, a martyr of Arad.

In the early afternoon hours, the Croatian defence minister laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier.