The joint meeting of NATO foreign and defence ministers was held in Brussels on 18-19 April, 2012. Hungary was represented at the meetings by Minister for Foreign Affairs János Martonyi and Minister of Defence Csaba Hende.

The primary purpose of the joint meeting was to prepare the Chicago Summit of the Alliance to be held in May, 2012. The main topics on the agenda, therefore, covered those that will be discussed at the Chicago Summit (Afghanistan, partnerships, defence capabilities).

Hungary expects as one of the main outcomes of the Chicago Summit the reinforcement of the transatlantic link which needs to be underpinned by concrete decisions. The Declaration of the Visegrad Countries “Responsibility for a Strong NATO”, presented during the joint ministerial meeting, serves this objective. NATO member states strongly supported the individual as well as collective defence capability development initiatives of the Alliance.

Allies have confirmed their long-term support to the Afghanistan mission. However, with the ongoing transfer of responsibility to the Afghan forces, the NATO engagement is going to change its character after 2014. Hungary has reiterated its commitment to the „in together – out together” principle -- Hungary’s presence in Afghanistan will continue beyond 2014.

NATO’s partnerships will also be in the spotlight at Chicago. At the summit Hungary expects the reinforcement of NATO’s "open door" policy and sending credible, individually tailored positive messages to the countries aspiring for NATO membership, especially to the countries of the Western-Balkans region, notably Montenegro, Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Georgia.

During the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council Hungary reaffirmed its commitment to the spirit of cooperation of the Lisbon NRC Summit which needs to be continued and strengthened. The best way to build confidence and transparency is through fostering cooperation.

(kormany.hu)