Minister of Defence Csaba Hende received journalists from Ukraine on 5 May 2011. The main topics discussed during the meeting were international military engagement, Hungarian-Ukrainian bilateral military cooperation and the role of the Hungarian Army in patriotic education. The guests were accompanied by Mr Endre Szalipszki, the Hungarian Consul to Ungvár.

One of the top priorities of the Hungarian foreign policy is Ukraine mainly because of transborder Hungarians. Concerning the cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries we appreciate Ukraine’s participation in peacekeeping and joint forums with V 4 countries, Minister of Defence Csaba Hende emphasized at the meeting. The minister added: the activity of Tisza Multinational Engineering Battalion – a military formation assembled by troops from Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine - is considered successful by Hungary. In reply to the question concerning the participation of Hungarian Defence Forces in disaster response operations the minister said: the Hungarian troops performed heroic tasks in last year’s flood relief and red sludge disaster relief operations. Furthermore the Ukrainian journalists also asked Minister of Defence when he would pay a visit to Ukraine. Csaba Hende replied he would travel to Munkachevo on the 300th anniversary of Rákóczi freedom fight, on 23 June to attend the premiere of the new Rákóczi rock-ballad written by Lajos Gubcsi and composed by László Benkő.

(kormany.hu)