Defence minister: Hungarian soldiers stand ground in crises

Budapest, January 2 (MTI) – Hungarian soldiers have “proved in recent crisis situations that they can hold their ground and serve the homeland,” the defence minister said, adding that the military deserves further support.

Interviewed by MTI, Istvan Simicsko said that Hungarian soldiers had worked hard building an iron fence along sections of the southern borders, and have patrolled the borders and several cities since the migrant crisis started. They have also done well in NATO exercises and in international missions including ones in Afghanistan, Iraq, Cyprus or the Western Balkans.

In light of the migrant crisis and a threat of terrorism the military “needs to assess its activities so far and find ways to further strengthen the country’s security,” the minister said. He added that the ministry’s structure needs also to be reviewed as “what we need is fast decision making and fast implementation”.

Simicsko said that new legislation could also be necessary to “empower soldiers to manage terrorist situations in peace times”, and added that he would consult experts of the parliamentary parties on the subject.

The minister said he would also initiate five-party talks on further developing Hungary’s reserve corps. Defence could only be made a national cause if every citizen is aware of its significance, he said. The minister suggested that the reserve corps could be reorganised on a regional basis. He argued that the recent migrant crisis has demonstrated the need for reserve officers, and noted that more and more people are interested in military careers. Young people should be offered an opportunity to learn defence skills on a voluntary basis, he said, adding that “the national defence cause should be brought close to young people”.

Concerning salaries for the military, the minister said that under a programme launched in 2015, soldiers’ pay would increase by an average 50 percent by January 2019.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters