European nation states must be capable of tackling challenges, says Hungarian defence minister

European nation states must be strong enough and capable of tackling their own internal and external challenges and threats, Hungary’s defence minister said after a conference of EU defence ministers in Brussels on Tuesday.

The EU’s draft security and defence strategy dubbed Strategic Compass, which defines tasks for member states to respond to future challenges and threats, meets Hungary’s requirements, Tibor Benkő told Hungarian journalists after the meeting.

The strategy is in line with Hungary’s approach that the country must have a strong and effective military, one that has the capabilities to guarantee the peace and security of the country and its people, he said.

Benkő said the defence ministers held talks with Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s secretary general, who said that in addition to strong European nation states, transatlantic ties must also be strengthened.

“This however must be done by strengthening and not by weakening one another,” he said.

Concerning the migration situation at the Polish-Belarusian border, Benkő pointed out Hungary’s six years of experience with the issue of illegal migration. He said that Visegrad Group members Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia had offered help and support to Poland, the fourth member of the group.

“Hungary, if asked by Warsaw, is ready to provide technical equipment, material resources and troops to help Poland,”

the defence minister said.

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