On Tuesday, 18 September the United States Department of Defense issued a news release regarding Hungarian Defense Minister Csaba Hende’s visit to Washington DC. The news release praises Hungary’s role in Afghanistan and the bilateral defense cooperation, with special regard to the upcoming 20th anniversary of the State Partnership Program between the Hungarian Defense Forces and the Ohio National Guard.

The press release states that at the discussion conducted in the Pentagon, United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta “expressed his deep appreciation for Hungary’s long-standing commitment and support to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, including Hungarian troops currently deployed to Regional Command North, and Hungarian plans to lead the force protection mission at Kabul International Airport this fall”.

The Department of Defense also notes that Csaba Hende offered condolences to Leon Panetta for the recent attack against the US Consulate in Benghazi in which four Americans – including Ambassador Chris Stevens – lost their lives. In connection with the State Partnership Program between the Ohio National Guard and the Hungarian Defense Forces, Secretary of Defense Panetta “praised the partnership’s successes, including multiple joint deployments”.

Minister Hende expressed in his statement earlier this week, that his American counterpart agreed with the Hungarian standpoint that the strengthening of transatlantic relations in transition continues to be an important task, and the conduct of joint trainings and exercises can be a good means of achieving this goal.

(Prime Minister’s Office)