On Wednesday, 9 December – during a discussion with his Czech counterpart held in the Hódmezővásárhely barracks – Hungarian Minister of Defence Dr. István Simicskó stated that ensuring the widest possible scope and effectiveness of cooperation among the Visegrád countries (V4) is Hungary’s strategic interest.
Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic Martin Stropnicky travelled to Hungary to visit the Czech troops serving here who had arrived to participate in the Balaton 2015 joint training event. During the visit, the Minister was shown round the base, saw a display of Hungarian, Czech and Slovak soldiers and some phases of constructing a temporary security barrier along the southern border of Hungary. Furthermore, while at the base, the Czech Defence Minister was introduced to the earthmovers and military equipment being used by the soldiers, and also tasted some specialities of a field kitchen.
Speaking at a press briefing held after a short discussion between the two ministers, István Simicskó emphasized that due to the migration crisis, a new chapter has opened in the cooperation of the V4 countries, and they can work together well and efficiently at this stage as well. “We have found true friends in connection with handling the crisis”, the Minister said, referring to the cooperation with the other V4 countries.
According to the Minister of Defence, after their arrival in Hungary for the joint training event, the Czech and Slovak troops were cooperating with the Hungarian soldiers in an exemplary way, and the representatives of different nations have learned a lot of lessons during this cooperation. He added that ensuring the widest possible scope and effectiveness of cooperation among the Visegrád Four (V4) countries is Hungary’s strategic interest.
István Simicskó pointed out that thanks to the security measures, the flood of migrants is now bypassing Hungary, but no one can say when another wave of refugees – possibly millions of them – would start, therefore we must prepare for this situation. He added that the Czech Minister of Defence had also promised to contribute troops of the Czech armed forces to help out Hungary in case it would happen.
According to Martin Stropnicky, Hungary is very firmly securing the border section of the Schengen Area in the country, and the Czech Republic also has an interest in the success of Hungary’s measures. He said that the V4 Defence Ministers would meet in Prague next week to discuss further cooperation. He noted that some countries that earlier condemned Hungary for its border policy are now considering building a physical barrier to stem the flood of migrants. He added that the V4 countries are working to protect the Schengen Area.
Hungarian Chief of Defence Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő and Lt.-Gen. Frantisek Maleninsky, Deputy Chief of Defence of the Czech armed forces were also present at the meeting of the two Defence Ministers. Running from 15 October until 15 December, Balaton 2015 is aimed at training Hungarian, Czech and Slovak troops for logistic tasks in support of handling the crisis caused by mass migration in the regions of Kaposvár, Nagykanizsa and Hódmezővásárhely.
Since mid-October, a 21-strong Czech logistic unit has been participating in the training together with the Hungarian personnel, and they were recently joined by a 21-strong Slovak contingent equipped with 11 military assets. Under an agreement of the V4 countries, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland have sent altogether 170 policemen and soldiers to strengthen security along Hungary’s southern borders.