Defense Minister: Hungary has a vested interest in NATO remaining a strong defense alliance

Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said Hungary has a vested interest in NATO remaining a strong defense alliance.

Speaking after a summit of NATO leaders in The Hague on Wednesday, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that “we trust in the success of President Trump’s efforts for peace” but at the same time, it was unavoidable that Hungary and the alliance should possess the military and deterrence capabilities that guarantee its security. This, he said, required a further increase in defense budgets, which was also a focal point of the summit.

“We welcome the US’s commitment to Europe’s security, and we agree with the Trump administration that European allies must take a greater role in guaranteeing Europe’s traditional security,” the minister said. “Our country has for long actively supported efforts to strengthen NATO’s and especially Europe’s defense capabilities that supplement and strengthen but cannot substitute national efforts,” he added.

Hungary continues to be dedicated to guaranteeing Hungarian people’s security, he said. In addition to an army which is getting stronger thanks to the modernisation of the military, Hungary’s security is based on NATO membership, he said, adding that the country agreed with the need to boost defense budgets but in order to meet the recommended 5 percent target, it was necessary for the EU to relax its fiscal regulations.