Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky made a recent trip to Tbilisi, Georgia where he met with his Georgian counterpart, Juansher Burchuladze.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky highlighted the many similarities in the histories, cultures and even the geographical features of the two countries, such as their 1,000-year-old Christian tradition, and their shared ability to preserve their unique language and culture in the midst of the storms of history and politics.
He went on to stress the key strategic role the nation of Georgia plays in the Southern Caucasian region
as well as the importance of the cooperation between the Hungarian and Georgian militaries.
Officers serving in the Caucasian nation’s armed forces can come to Hungary for helicopter pilot training, in preparation for NATO missions.
Hungary Strongly Supports Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic Integration
Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky also took a strong stand in favour of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, thus supporting granting them a NATO candidate state status as well. Also, Hungarian servicemen are currently present in the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG).
Memorial to Fallen Hungarian Soldiers Unveiled
The two Defence Ministers then took part in the unveiling of a monument commemorating Hungarian soldiers killed in action in the area of Georgia during World War II. Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky thanked the Georgian government for its contributions to the monument.
Georgian Prime Minister at CPAC Hungary 2023
During his trip to Tbilisi, Georgia, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky was also received by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
Just last month, PM Garibashvili was a guest speaker at the second annual CPAC Hungary held in Budapest. There, he talked about the significance of defending the values that underpin the unity of conservatives in the world in these difficult times. In terms of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, he also reminded his audience of the Russian army crossing into his own country back in 2008, and that
20 per cent of Georgia’s territory is still occupied by Russian forces to this day.
He also referred to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a ‘wise and visionary national leader’, whom the country is fortunate to have in today’s trying times.
As reciprocation, PM Orbán of Hungary addressed him and his country directly in the CPAC speech of his own, stating that Georgia showed us all ‘how to live in Russia’s shadow while keeping your country and keeping the peace’.
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