Hungary strong ally, says NATO general

Budapest, July 6 (MTI) – Hungary is a strong NATO ally ready to do its part in strengthening the region’s defence capabilities, General Hans-Lothar Domroese, Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, said in Budapest on Monday.

General Domroese held talks with Hungarian Chief of Staff Tibor Benko and Defence Minister Csaba Hende on NATO’s main security challenges.

Among the issues discussed were the threat posed by Islamic State, Europe’s refugee crisis and the conflict in Ukraine.

General Domroese said the meeting touched on the planned establishment of forward command posts in Hungary, and expressed hope that the NATO base in Szekesfehervar, central Hungary, could start operating already in 2016. He said the base would boost the security of Hungary, the region as well as the collective security of the alliance.

The general noted that he is in charge of the new NATO mission in Afghanistan known as Resolute Support, which consists of some 12,000 soldiers compared to the previous international mission of 100,000 troops. He said the alliance would withdraw even more troops over the next two years.

General Domroese said Hungary has long played a key role in missions in Afghanistan.

The NATO general paid a visit to Hungary at the invitation of Hungarian army chief.

Photo: MTI

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