Hungarian Defence Minister Csaba Hende participated at the two-day Informal Meeting of EU Ministers of Defence in Cyprus.

The ministers discussed among others the future of the EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as its UN mandate expires in November 2012.

Photo: Katja Hrisztodolu, MTI/EPA

Due to the fragility of the political situation in Bosnia, Minister Hende found it important that the EU continue to support the country’s integration with every possible tool. Furthermore he also emphasised the need to maintain the executive military mandate.

At the meeting, discussions also centred on the EU’s missions, capability development and the security situation in North Africa and the Middle East.

(MTI, Ministry of Defence)