The defense minister said the heroes of 1956 had fought for national sovereignty, and Hungarians today were vigilant about any foreign intervention that violated “our national sovereignty”.
Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky told a ceremony marking the 1956 revolution and freedom fight on Monday that Hungarians have been a people of freedom since 1956.
At the event held at the Balna Centre of Military Culture, the minister said the heroes of 1956 had fought for national sovereignty, and Hungarians today were vigilant about any foreign intervention that violated “our national sovereignty”.
He said there were those who would cede Hungary to foreign interests, and “that’s why national heroes are still needed today”, he added.
The minister said current times of peace in Hungary seemed “fragile” and he warned that European countries could “easily drift into” the war in Ukraine. He added that a country whose national sovereignty “has been put to sleep could easily become a puppet of foreign powers”.
Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky hailed the attitude and culture of the staff of the Hungarian Armed Forces, noting the successful Adaptive Hussars exercise last year, among other milestones.
He also referred to the “simplified legislative environment” conferred by the government decree on the legal status of soldiers, which he said paved the way for the armed forces to meet constant changes in the world and respond with speed and versatility.
The minister noted that new weapons and equipment were being put into service and 2,600 people have signed up for the volunteer territorial reserves. Further, he referred to the cadet programme whereby high-school students learn the basics of national defence in 155 partner schools.
At the event, the minister presented appointments, promotions and awards in the presence of Chief of General Staff Gábor Böröndi.
