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Cabinet officials

Hungary Reaffirms Commitment to Western Balkan Stability

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Hungary's Minister of Defence Tibor Benko reinforced the country's dedication to maintaining stability in the Western Balkans during a meeting with Chairman of NATO's Military Committee Air Chief Marshall Sir Stuart Peach. Hungary has been a significant contributor to peacekeeping missions in the region for decades, with over two-thirds of its operational participation provided by soldiers serving in the Western Balkans. The country has also committed to taking over the post of KFOR commander for a year starting in November 2021. Additionally, Hungary is modernizing its defence forces through its National Defence and Armed Forces Development Program, which aims to increase defence spending to 2% of its gross national product by 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hungary has been a significant contributor to peacekeeping missions in the Western Balkans for several decades, with over two-thirds of its operational participation provided by soldiers serving in the region.
  • The country confirmed its continued contribution to KFOR and its intention to take over the post of KFOR commander for a year starting in November 2021.
  • Hungary's National Defence and Armed Forces Development Program aims to increase defence spending to 2% of its gross national product by 2024.
  • The establishment of the Multinational Division Command for Central Europe is underway, with Hungary and Croatia driving the initiative to reinforce NATO's command and leadership capacity in the region.
  • The command will focus on capacity development, interoperability, training, and exercises, as well as crisis management and contributing to the defence of the Alliance.
  • Hungary has established a Special Operations Component Command, supported by regional partners Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, and Austria, to address non-traditional security threats.
  • NATO has successfully responded to the global pandemic, and Hungary welcomed the adoption of a COVID operational plan that enables a collective response to new waves of the virus, if necessary.

Statistics:

  • Over two-thirds of the Hungarian Defence Forces' operational participation is provided by soldiers serving in the Western Balkans.
  • Hungary will increase its defence spending to 2% of its gross national product by 2024.
  • The Multinational Division Command for Central Europe will begin its operation in the near future.
  • 4 countries (Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, and Austria) have supported Hungary's establishment of a Special Operations Component Command.

Sources:

  • [Chairman of NATO's Military Committee, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stuart Peach'sCourtesy Visit to Hungary, 10 July [exact date not provided]]

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