COMMANDER OF THE HUNGARIAN DEFENCE FORCES VISITS LITHUANIA

During the several-day visit, the Commander of the Hungarian Defence Forces held a plenary meeting with the Chief of General Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Chief of Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. At the plenary meeting, Lieutenant General Ruszin-Szendi said that Hungary’s membership in the European Union and NATO provides a firm framework for cooperation in various fields. Hungary is also committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Lithuania and to that of the V4 group with the Baltic countries. The commander emphasized that the bilateral defence cooperation between Hungary and Lithuania dates back to 1997, and that this relationship continuously contributes to strengthening the security of Lithuania and the entire region. This fact is proven by the participation of Hungarian service members in Lithuanian training programs, and by the participation of Hungarian fighter pilots in Baltic Air Policing missions.

At the plenary session, the parties shared their information on the most important current issue: the Russo-Ukrainian war. With regard to bilateral military cooperation, the Commander of the Hungarian Defence Forces emphasized that he sees potential for further deepening of cooperation in the field of education and training. He highlighted that for the future generation sharing the lessons learned in the field of defence education and realising the content of the cooperation between the cadet schools of the two countries would be important. The commander emphasized: Hungary, as a frontline country, not only embodies collective deterrence and defence in its own territory, but – in addition to all this – also participates in the Baltic Air Policing. At the meeting, the Lithuanian party acknowledged that, and thanked their Hungarian counterpart for Hungary’s contribution to the joint defence and deterrence.

At the plenary session the possibilities of sharing lessons learned on the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System), as well as current issues affecting NATO were also discussed.

During the official stay, the Hungarian Commander paid a visit – among others – to the Lithuanian special operations training base, the Lithuanian Air Defence Battalion, and the Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonušas Radvila Training Regiment. Lieutenant General Ruszin-Szendi also met with Brigadier General Artūras Radvilas, commander of the Lithuanian Land Forces, and visited the Lithuanian PzH 2000 subunit, where potential establishment of cooperation in this field between the two countries in the future as part of joint training was discussed.