Tibor Benkő Meets with Ukrainian Minister of Defence

Prior to the negotiations, the two ministers and the commanders of the two countries' defence forces had a private discussion.

At the plenary session, Mr Benkő said that any form of aggression is unacceptable to us, therefore Hungary continues to urge dialogue and political solutions.

The agenda included discussions on an increasing number of threats and challenges to Europe's security, which are increasingly affecting the Central and Eastern European region. The security of our country is crucially determined by the stability of the Western Balkans and the factors influencing it, including mass illegal migration and the challenges stemming from it. The Ukrainian defence minister briefed his counterpart about the threats at the borders of his country, highlighting troop movements along Ukraine’s eastern borders, and the dangers of illegal migration.

Tibor Benkő confirmed that Hungary is consistently in favour of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. In line with this, Hungary shares the position of NATO and the EU regarding the invasion of the Crimean Peninsula, and “we condemn the intervention in eastern Ukraine”, the minister added.

űRegarding the military cooperation between the two countries, it was said that in spite of the open political issues, Hungary continues to provide bilateral support in several areas and is ready to contribute to the deepening of practical cooperation between the Alliance and Ukraine. Accordingly, Hungary participates in the preparation of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces and examines the opportunity of practical cooperation with the Ukrainian party in several military areas. Our primary goal is to make the best possible use of the existing framework of cooperation, the minister of defence added.

Mr Tibor Benkő pointed out that it is important for Hungary that the ethnic Hungarians of Transcarpathia can live in peace in their homeland, and that the Ukrainian side ensures the rights of the Hungarian minority acquired so far.

The two sides agreed to take steps to mutually improve their political and military relations.