General Hakan Syren, the Chairman of the EU Military Committee paid an official visit to Budapest on December 6. He was received with military honours. Then he laid his wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Heroes’ Square.

General Hakan Syren had talks with General Tibor Benkő, Chief of the Defence Staff of the HDF. Afterwards he was received by Minister of Defence Dr Csaba Hende in his office.
The main objective of the visit was to inform General Syren about the military aspects of Hungary’s preparation for the upcoming Presidency. General Hakan Syren was informed about the engagement of the HDF in missions, with special regard to EU military operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. They exchanged views upon participation in NATO-led missions, as well.
Concerning the main military aspects of Hungary’s EU Presidency in 2011 General Tibor Benkő said: pooling and sharing as well as tightening relations between NATO and EU have been on the agenda for years.
General Tibor Benkő emphasized: “We are going to continue the started tasks.” In response to the question whether any changes can be expected regarding the EU military operation at international level in 2011 he said: “You must be prepared for changing situations both in Europe and in Africa where the EU has a large military presence, as well.”
Text: Dóra Darnyik