Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared on Tuesday in Budapest that if the National Assembly backs the involvement in the fight against the Islamic State, then Hungarian soldiers could arrive in Iraq in the second half of May.
The Minister consulted with the leaders of the parliamentary parties on the involvement in the fight against the Islamic State this morning. Following this, he explained to journalists that a governmental working group had held a meeting on this issue on Monday; the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of the National Assembly would deal with the issue next week.
He noted that Hungary is already part of the conflict related to the Islamic State since Hungary is part of the Western community of values that had been attacked by the terrorist organisation.
An on-site visit could take place in the second half of March; then the issue of the Hungarian involvement could be presented to the Parliament in the middle of April. If the National Assembly backs this, then Hungarian soldiers may arrive in Iraq in the second half of May, the Minister added.
He said that the annual cost of the mission could be HUF 20 billion according to preliminary calculations. The costs of equipment are also included in the calculations but it is possible that the United States may provide financial support; in this case the sum would be lower.
Péter Szijjártó confirmed that Hungary is part of the Western community of values and this also means obligations that must be fulfilled.
He recalled that the request for Hungary to increase its involvement for the success of the fight against the Islamic State by sending soldiers had been made by the United States. According to the plans, 100 soldiers would be sent to Northern Iraq to fulfil security tasks and further 50 soldiers would be on standby in Hungary, he explained. He added that the region where the Hungarian soldiers would be sent is currently the safest territory in Iraq.
The Minister explained that the allies are providing training for the Iraqi army so that it is able to defend itself and the country. One of these training centres can be found in Erbil that the Hungarian soldiers would defend, he said.