Hungary is an experienced, committed, cooperating and reliable ally of NATO, Defence Minister Dr István Simicskó said on 17 November at the 20th International Parliamentary NATO Conference held in the Parliament Building.
”The EU must maintain a greater military presence in crisis zones that pose a threat to Europe in the interests of stopping illegal immigration”, Minster of Defence István Simicskó stressed in a statement to Hungarian news agency MTI on Tuesday.
On Monday, 7 November, after the first working session at the meeting of the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) held in Austria, Minister of Defence István Simicskó told Hungarian news agency MTI that regional cooperation has become more important in Europe, so the discussion focused on collaboration and the joint protection of external borders.
In a speech delivered on Thursday, 3 November in Nickelsdorf, at the farewell ceremony of an Austrian military contingent deploying to the Hungarian–Serbian border, Minister of Defence István Simicskó stated that the mass illegal migration over the last one and a half year requires joint action, as mutual assistance is the only way to guarantee the security of our countries. The Austrian Defence Minister also attended the event to say farewell to the soldiers.
Speaking in Szolnok on Tuesday, 25 October, Minister of Defence Dr. István Simicskó emphasized that in addition to creating the legal conditions, the people’s security can be guaranteed through effective cooperation among the law enforcement and security organizations.
Speaking at a 1956 commemoration held by the self-government of Újbuda together with the inauguration ceremony of the 1956 memorial of the district, Minister of Defence István Simicskó emphasized that during their history, the Hungarians have already repeatedly paid the price of freedom, but this freedom must be defended as well.
During a 1956 commemoration held at the Hungarian Embassy in Vienna, Minister of Defence István Simicskó stated that the Hungarians have paid the price of their freedom, and they want to defend and preserve this freedom.
On his journey in the United States, Minister of Defence István Simicskó held a discussion with Maj.-Gen. Mark E. Bartman, the Adjutant General of the Ohio National Guard on Thursday, 13 October.
On the last day of his visit to the United States of America, Minister of Defence István Simicskó travelled to Tampa, Florida where he had discussions with Gen. Joseph Votel, Commander, United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) and Maj.-Gen. Marcus Hicks, Chief of Staff, United States Special Operations Command (US SOCOM).
At a press conference, MoD Parliamentary State Secretary Tamás Vargha stated that heroism, tribute and freedom will be the central ideas of the commemoration organized for the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight.