The United States is Committed but Europe Has to Do More

“Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence. At the same time, we consider it important that the EU member states cooperate with NATO as closely as possible in this regard” – he added. By now, the general consensus is that the European NATO allies also have to contribute more to Europe’s defence. Significantly more European defence capabilities and defence industry capacities are needed than the existing ones, for which an adequate financial background is also required, pointed out the minister.

He emphasized that Hungary, as a reliable ally, will meet the NATO commitment concerning defence spendings in 2025, too. Our country joined the circle of the ten allies that allocate more than 2 percent of their GDP to defence in 2023. The defence minister added that this level has been successfully kept and even increased in 2024, thus, we spent more than 2.1 percent of the GDP on defending the Hungarian people, and nearly 48 percent of this went to the development of the Hungarian armed forces. He underlined that Hungary is not only talking about the importance of joint defence and deterrence objectives in NATO but is also actively participating in their implementation.

He recalled that it was ceremoniously declared early this week that the Székesfehérvár-based Headquarters Multinational Division Centre (HQ MND-C) reached its Full Operational Capability (FOC) last December, playing a significant role in the command and control system of defending NATO’s Eastern Flank. Related to this, he highlighted that this autumn, a large-scale international exercise will take place for the second time, called Exercise Adaptive Hussars 25.

Hungary also undertakes an outstanding task in the Baltic Air Policing mission. In 2025, it will participate in the air defence of the Baltic countries for the fourth time. It is notable that due to the effects of the Russo-Ukrainian War, this territory has become one of the most sensitive airspaces in Europe. We carry out similar tasks in the airspaces of Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia. Related to Ukraine, he underlined that the allies must do everything to end the fighting as soon as possible and begin to create a long-term and sustainable peace. We still do not agree to Ukraine’s NATO accession, considering the fact that as a result, the Alliance would also get involved in the war.