Turkey is of paramount importance and a strategic partner for Hungary, with military and defence ties dating back to ancient times, said the Hungarian Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky after holding talks with the Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler on Thursday in Budapest.
Turkey is an extremely important regional player in terms of security policy, and its voice is indispensable in international conflicts that risk the security of all of us, the minister said. He added that Turkey, as a NATO member and a leading country in the region, shares a similar view on the Russo-Ukrainian war as Hungary.
Both countries are committed to an immediate ceasefire and the initiation of peace talks as soon as possible, he emphasized, highlighting the importance of avoiding the escalation of the war and further casualties. It is in the interest of Hungary and the region to return to peace so that economic and trade relations can strengthen ‘instead of the horrors of war.’
The minister also mentioned that
Turkey and Hungary agree that NATO, as the world’s largest defence alliance, should pay special attention to the danger posed by terrorism.
He added that Hungary is interested in maintaining stability in the African region, and as part of a comprehensive aid package, next spring, the Hungarian Defence Forces will send a military mission to Chad. The goal is to solve the problems at their place of origin and not to import them into Europe. Regarding the stability of the Western Balkan region, both ministers agreed on its significance, and both armed forces are present in the region within the framework of NATO.
In addition to military and security cooperation, the ministers also discussed the defence industry cooperation between the two countries. Szalay-Bobrovniczky informed his counterpart about the military development, which includes equipping the entire Hungarian army with NATO-compatible tools and developing the defence industry. He mentioned that every forint spent on military development simultaneously improves the Hungarian economy and infrastructure.
It was announced in recent days that the Gidrán combat vehicles will be manufactured in Hungary with the participation of Rába. Through this, one of the most important tools of the renewed Hungarian military will be a combat vehicle manufactured in Hungary based on Turkish license, contributing to the strengthening of bilateral relations.
Yaşar Güler, the Turkish Minister of Defence, spoke about sincere and constructive discussions, emphasizing
the importance Turkey attaches to cooperation with ‘brotherly, allied, and friendly’ Hungary.
He added that he and Szalay-Bobrovniczky reviewed bilateral relations, the security of the Euro-Atlantic region, and issues related to the NATO membership of both countries. Güler expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the defence industry between the two countries and praised the development of ‘brotherly Hungary and the Hungarian armed forces,’ while inviting Szalay-Bobrovniczky to Turkey.
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