Hungary’s security government priority, says defence minister in Brussels

As Hungary’s government gives priority to the security of the country and its people, it has launched a comprehensive reform and upgrade of the armed forces, Defence Minister Tibor Benkő said in Brussels on Friday.

Speaking after a meeting of NATO defence ministers, Benkő told a news conference that

recent changes in the world posed significant dangers to Europe and Hungary.

For this reason all member states should devote more attention to security, he said.

The North Atlantic Treaty declares that all nations should make efforts of their own to develop and maintain strong defence capabilities, Benkő said, adding that the military alliance would only become strong if its member states have such capabilities.

The minister said migration would become one of the most serious challenges for the alliance in the decades to come. In light of the heightened risk of terrorism, he said, uncontrolled entries into Europe or Hungary are “impermissible”.

Benkő said he had held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart on military and defence issues.

Hungary considers it highly important that Ukraine should live in peace, security and stability, he said.

The minister said the acquired rights of Transcarpathia‘s ethnic Hungarian community should not be curbed, and expressed hope that the disputes over Ukraine’s controversial education law would be settled. Hungary will give every possible assistance to this effort, he said.

Photo: MTi

Source: MTI