Chiefs of General Staff of Hungary and North Macedonia Strengthen Ties

The armies of North Macedonia and Hungary are set to deepen their cooperation following an official meeting between Major General Sashko Lafchiski, Chief of the General Staff of North Macedonia, with his Hungarian counterpart, General Gábor Böröndi held in Budapest.

According to honvedelem.hu, the key areas of cooperation include joint development of high-mountain and diving capabilities within North Macedonia’s special operations forces and joint training exercises in Hungary. Hungary will also support the training of a North Macedonian rifle battalion designated for NATO missions, sharing expertise with Gidrán combat vehicles.

Major General Sashko Lafchiski and Gábor Böröndi. Photo: honvedelem.hu

The partnership falls under the annual Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan, which also opens opportunities for North Macedonian soldiers to join international courses hosted in Hungary.

Additionally, the Chiefs of General Staff agreed to strengthen cultural ties, with five Hungarian military musicians scheduled to perform at the Military Music Gala in Skopje on December 17. This collaborative effort highlights both countries’ commitment to enhancing defense capabilities and bolstering NATO cooperation.

Fact

The Hungarian Defense Forces supported North Macedonia in combating wildfires by providing two Air Force helicopters—an Airbus H-225M and a Mi-17. Additionally, Hungary sent 46 firefighters with specialized equipment, including forest fire vehicles and drones, in response to North Macedonia’s request for aid. This team, composed of logisticians, medical experts, and pilots, joined the firefighting efforts to protect affected areas. The mission underscores Hungary’s commitment to regional cooperation and support during natural disasters.

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