We Maintain a Traditionally Good Defence and Military Cooperation with Slovenia

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that although they meet regularly with Marjan Šarec, Slovenian defence minister, within the framework of EU and NATO discussions, they can have in-depth conversations about the deepening of bilateral relations only in person. The minister recalled that Hungary has a strong relationship with Slovenia in several fields, and the military-defence field is not an exception to this.

The minister underlined that neighbours can count on each other. Hungary has been protecting Slovenia’s airspace for ten years, together with the Italian Air Force. We help one another without delay, an example of this is that helicopters of the Hungarian Defence Forces also participated in the rescue and aid work during last year’s floods in Northern Slovenia.

As neighbouring countries, we have to face similar challenges and deal with considerable pressure regarding migration, for instance; therefore, both nations are present in Operation EUFOR ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the commandership of which is in Hungarian hands in 2024 – he highlighted.

The minister added that besides EU and NATO memberships, he considers the participation of the two countries in the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) – which aims to support the stability of the Western Balkans – as a distinguished mutual alliance. He pointed out that the CEDC presidency is held by Hungary this year, and the discussions among its ministers will be in Budapest in April.

Hungary will also hold the rotating presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2024. During this, we plan to deal with the issues of defence industry and defence capabilities besides strengthening the outer borders of the EU to enhance the security of Europe – added the minister.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that the news of the war in Ukraine were also discussed during the meeting. Hungary’s point of view has not changed: we still see the solution in an immediate ceasefire agreement and starting peace negotiations as soon as possible – added the minister. Though sending weapons and ammunition to the war only prolongs it, so Hungary does not send weapons, nor ammunition to the war. “We support Ukraine within the framework of the largest humanitarian aid program in Hungary’s history” – said Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

The Slovenian and Hungarian ministers also inaugurated together the memorial of Captain Emil Czant, who died as a hero in Tolmin (in the territory of Slovenia) in the third Battle of the Isonzo in World War I.

Press release by the Ministry of Defence