Recognition of Soldiers is Important Across Borders and Continents

The general, besides surveying the tasks and supply of the soldiers, also gave thanks to the Hungarian personnel serving under the aegis of the United Nations who are committed to doing their service – continuing a decades-long tradition.

On the occasion of the forthcoming holidays, the general gave thanks to the soldiers at their duty station in the foreign mission, informed them about the ongoing organzational changes in Hungary and their background, handed over the Christmas gifts of the Ministry of Defence and the Hungarian Defence Forces and answered questions.

In Cyprus, where General Dr. Gábor Böröndi also served from 1997 to 1998, he “discovered that the site has changed a lot but not the mission; the conflict is on its way to being solved, which takes time but the Hungarian soldiers greatly contribute to its secure and peaceful solution. They do a high-level service at the United Nations Headquarters in Nicosia, as the force commander of the mission, Major General Batsuuri Erdenebat also confirmed.”

In Lebanon, the Hungarian general was received by the force commander of the mission, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz at the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura. In what followed, he met with Lieutenant Colonel Shane Rockett, the battalion commander of the Hungarian personnel in Camp Shamrock.

The Chief of the HDF Defence Staff said that the character and vulnerability of the mission in Lebanon considerably differ from that of Cyprus; here, the temporary ceasefire was reached only a few days ago. The Hungarian soldiers spent more than 600 hours in shelters, which obviously shows that the soldiers are serving in a dangerous place.

Although the morale of the soldiers is good, they were glad to be taken care of and receive gifts, especially from their loved ones.

The general underlined that soldiers serving in Lebanon deserve special respect because they are serving in a very complex environment full of challenges due to the armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. They prove their readiness and commitment day after day and perform with exemplary commitment in an unstable region, which obviously deserves recognition.

General Böröndi also had a discussion with Lieutenant General Joseph Aoun, commander of the armed forces of Lebanon.

The Hungarian Defence Forces have taken part in the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission of the UN in Lebanon since 2006. The Hungarian soldiers are serving with a platoon in the Polish company, which is subordinated to the Irish battalion. The platoon carries out its tasks under Polish command, in a joint unit, while one Hungarian soldier serves on the international staff in an operational position. Among the main activities of the platoon are patrolling and guard-and-security (force protection) tasks.

The Hungarian Defence Forces have been participating in the United Nations UNFICYP mission in Cyprus since 1993. Out of the Hungarian military contributions to international peacekeeping missions, the one in Cyprus is the oldest and longest-running one.