Superiors Express Satisfaction with Hungarian Peacekeepers

Based on the experience of the four months that have passed since the last rotation, we can safely say that the Hungarians have completed the process of integration into the mission. The Hungarian peacekeepers are tasked with maintaining peace and security on the divided island. That is, they must ensure that the opposing Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides cannot engage each other in combat.

The full strength of the Hungarian-led contingent is 84. Out of this, the Hungarian peacekeepers number 77. Under the terms of an agreement with Serbia, there are seven Serb soldiers in the Hungarian contingent too. Six of the 20 Hungarians serving at the Nicosia HQ of the UNFICYP work in staff officer positions – for example as head physician, duty officer or operations officer – while nine of them form part of the Mobile Force Reserve (MFR) in which they carry out security, force protection and special CRC duties. Five Hungarian peacekeepers are on the staff of the Force Military Police Unit (FMPU). Together with their Slovak, Serb and Croatian comrades, 57 Hungarian troops serve in UNFICYP Sector 4 – 17 of them are posted to the Sector HQ in Famagusta as logisticians, operations and liaison officers. The remaining 40 troops, augmented with six Serb peacekeepers, form the 1st platoon which is stationed in Athienou.

Talking about the past four months, Lt.-Col. Lukács said that as part of the UN-monitored peace process in Cyprus, a meeting took place on January 5 between the leaders of the Cyprian Greek and Turkish states in Pyla, which is situated in the area of responsibility of Sector 4. The stand-by mobile unit of the 1st infantry platoon was detached to provide security at the event. The meeting went smoothly without any extraordinary episodes.

The next major task for the Hungarian contingent deployed in Cyprus is to prepare for the new rotation that is due to take place in March. More than 30 Hungarian troops are to arrive in the island in some weeks, and the personnel of the contingent are going to start making arrangements in early February for a smooth transfer of authority process, the lieutenant-colonel pointed out.

The Hungarian troops serving in Cyprus have several major tasks ahead in this year too. They will be deployed to provide security at the upcoming political-diplomatic meetings intended to promote the peace process, which entails an above average workload. From July to December 2012, Cyprus will hold the presidency of the European Union, and the related events will probably affect the everyday life of the UNFICYP peacekeeping mission too, Lt.-Col. Péter Lukács told us.

Photo: UNFICYP HUN CON