Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen received Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Minister of Foreign Affairs János Martonyi for an introductory meeting.

The Secretary General praised Hungary for its commitment to and achievements within the Alliance, despite the economic difficulties, placing particular emphasis on Hungarian participation on the Afghan stabilization process and the leading role played by Hungary in the C-17 program based at Pápa. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to NATO and transatlantic cooperation, its steadfastness regarding continued participation in the Alliance’s efforts in Afghanistan and its intention to raise defence spending as a proportion of GDP. He added that the government’s first priority in national security, and in this regard NATO’s role as a defence alliance is indispensable. With respect to the Western Balkans, both the Prime Minister and the Secretary General underlined the importance of the region and the successful functioning of NATO’s operation in Kosovo. In the context of NATO’s new Strategic Concept, there was agreement on both sides of the need to preserve the Alliance’s collective defence role. Prime Minister Orbán noted that Hungary was prepared to actively participate in the dialogue on adjusting Article 5 of the Washington Treaty to respond to new types of threats. At the conclusion of their meeting the Prime Minister invited the Secretary General to Hungary.