Slovakia, Hungary ‘allies not just in treaties, but actions, too’, Hungarian government believes

The Slovak military plane crash in the Zemplén Hills near Hejce, in northern Hungary, must be a reminder that the alliance between Slovakia and Hungary “is proven not just in treaties or fine words, but in our actions as well,” the state secretary for military development and defence policy said at a memorial ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the tragedy of the Slovak AN-24 aircraft in Hejce on Monday.

Zsolt Kutnyánszky paid tribute to the 42 service members who never received due recognition for their selfless service in maintaining peace in Kosovo. “Today, we honour soldiers — heroes of Slovakia and NATO — whose loss is still mourned by their country and by Hungary with deep sympathy,” he said.

He highlighted the “exemplary cooperation and unity” shown on the night of the tragedy, as both nations worked side by side, and local residents opened their homes to Hungarian and Slovak rescue teams, proving that “humanity, solidarity, and readiness to help transcend borders”.

On January 19, 2006, a Slovak Air Force AN-24 transport plane, returning from a Kosovo peacekeeping mission, crashed into Borso Hill above Hejce, killing all but one of the 43 people on board.