Thinking together, planning together

The relations between Hungary and North Macedonia in the field of defence have strengthened significantly in recent times. The armed forces of the two countries regularly conduct professional dialogues with focus on practical cooperation, exchange of experience, and joint training.

“The purpose of today’s meeting was to review the joint preparations and training programs that have been carried out, as well as to explore the opportunities for further deepening the cooperation,” said Colonel General Böröndi. “The visit also included examining the opportunities for cooperation in the field of defence industry, which could contribute to the development of the combat capability of the North Macedonian Armed Forces.”

During the discussions, particular attention was given to the Special Operations Forces’ cooperation, which has already become one of the most important pillars of bilateral military relations. As a result of their collaboration, Hungarian and North Macedonian SOF soldiers were able to learn each other’s procedures and methods at tactical level.

In addition to special forces, joint thinking also emphasizes the sharing of lessons learned in serving with the use of the equipment acquired during the development of the Hungarian Armed Forces.

Joint exercises carried out within NATO’s framework also marked an important milestone in the cooperation this year. During Cold Peak 2025, which was implemented as part of national defence exercise Adaptive Hussars 2025, Hungarian and North Macedonian Special Operations Forces jointly improved their rapid response capabilities. During this exercise, the soldiers performed complex tactical tasks in a foreign environment with a short preparation time in both mountainous and urban environments.

The cooperation has proven useful not only in the military but also in humanitarian field. The Chief of Defence Staff of North Macedonia expressed his gratitude in a letter to the Hungarian Defence Forces for their assistance in the suppression of forest fires that hit his country, and in transporting and providing care for the persons injured in a serious tragedy in March this year.

North Macedonia is a key player in the security of the Balkans due to its NATO membership and active regional participation. For Hungary, the stability of the region is of strategic importance, therefore the existing Hungarian-North Macedonian military cooperation provides a strong basis for joint actions in the future. The Friday meeting in Budapest serves to further strengthen this partnership, building on the results already achieved.