Greece is an Important Ally in Fighting Against Illegal Migration

“The visit also provided an opportunity for discussing in person the challenges posed by illegal migration in our countries. I thanked my fellow defence minister, Nikos Dendias, for their serious work in repelling ships transporting migrants”, said the minister. He underlined that besides the restricted Hungarian border control, Hungary also participates in defending the Greek border within the framework of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency’s, Frontex’s operation. Furthermore, we are also represented in the command of EUNAVFOR Operation Aspides – guaranteeing the security of European maritime trade routes – at the operational command in Greece.

The defence minister told us that “Hungary also contributes in other ways to the stability of the neighbouring regions that are significant for Europe; we handle with outstanding care the support of the persecuted Christian communities.”

The minister emphasised that both countries do a lot for the security of the Western Balkans, as they are significant contributors to the EUFOR Operation Althea and the KFOR mission, the guarantees of regional peace. Related to accelerating the EU accession of the Western Balkans countries, the minister underlined that Hungary still stands up for the merit-based EU accession processes because only this can provide long-term stability and economic prosperity in the region. He added that, at the same time, Hungary does not support Brussels in admitting the unprepared Ukraine into the EU in a hurry, lacking any reason.

Among the key topics of the ministers’ meeting was the strengthening of the Greek-Hungarian defence cooperation, especially in the fields of military education, training and defence innovation. This is well represented by the planned cooperation between the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (HCDI) and the Defence Innovation Research Institute (DIRI), underlined Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

“We consider sharing the lessons learned indispensable from the viewpoint of strengthening our defence capabilities, especially in our world filled with constantly changing security challenges. We agreed that human policy is decisive in the Greek armed forces development, too. Similarly to Hungary, Greece also rationalised the number of military leaders and modernised the command structure”, declared the defence minister.

Press release by the Ministry of Defence