After twelve years’ pause Hungarian-Polish military ministerial talks were resumed in Budapest on 17th September. During the discussions of Hungarian Defence minister Dr Csaba Hende and Klich Bogdan Polish Minister of Defence bilateral military cooperation, common security and defence policy of the East-Central European region were on the agenda.

Minister Dr Csaba Hende regretted that although the two countries cherish a thousand-year common history, there had been no talks between the two countries’ defence ministers in the last twelve years.

The objective of the Hungarian Defence’s leadership is to build closer relations. Nonetheless, the Polish-Hungarian military relations are balanced and meet both sides’ interests.

The talks revealed that both Ministers of Defence share the same view on the future of NATO and the EU. Klich Bogdan added that the upcoming Hungarian and the subsequent Polish EU Presidency will give both countries the opportunity to establish a common security and defence policy. He pointed out that Poland is no longer a so-called “new member” but an experienced and influential state.

Dr Csaba Hende said that the most important areas of cooperation are consultations on training of troops for mission, consultations between the two countries’ Air Forces and preserving traditional military activities.

It has been said that about forty thousand soldiers were killed on the territory of Poland in the battles of World War 1 and 2. There are hundreds of Polish military graves in our country to be cared for in the future.

It has been said that about forty thousand soldiers were killed on the territory of Poland in the battles of World War 1 and 2. There are hundreds of Polish military graves in our country to be cared for in the future.

Translated by Dóra Darnyik