Latest news with #KristófSzalay-Bobrovniczky
Budapest Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Defense Minister: Hungary has a vested interest in NATO remaining a strong defense alliance
Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said Hungary has a vested interest in NATO remaining a strong defense alliance. Speaking after a summit of NATO leaders in The Hague on Wednesday, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that 'we trust in the success of President Trump's efforts for peace' but at the same time, it was unavoidable that Hungary and the alliance should possess the military and deterrence capabilities that guarantee its security. This, he said, required a further increase in defense budgets, which was also a focal point of the summit. 'We welcome the US's commitment to Europe's security, and we agree with the Trump administration that European allies must take a greater role in guaranteeing Europe's traditional security,' the minister said. 'Our country has for long actively supported efforts to strengthen NATO's and especially Europe's defense capabilities that supplement and strengthen but cannot substitute national efforts,' he added. Hungary continues to be dedicated to guaranteeing Hungarian people's security, he said. In addition to an army which is getting stronger thanks to the modernisation of the military, Hungary's security is based on NATO membership, he said, adding that the country agreed with the need to boost defense budgets but in order to meet the recommended 5 percent target, it was necessary for the EU to relax its fiscal regulations.
Budapest Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Defense Minister: Sacked former chief of staff joining Tisza Party poses danger to Hungarians
The former chief of staff had declared "Slava Ukraini", or "glory to Ukraine", "which is unworthy of a soldier and unacceptable", the defense minister said. Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the former chief of staff who was sacked before joining the opposition Tisza Party 'poses a danger to Hungarians'. The defense minister said that based on audio recordings provided to Hungary by NATO, it was clear that the former chief of staff had departed from the Hungarian government's standpoint. In a Facebook post, the minister said he personally informed NATO's Deputy Secretary General that the former Hungarian chief of staff had not represented Hungary's position in NATO, and he also thanked Radmila Sekerinska for the organisation's 'constructive cooperation'. In a video published alongside the post, he said warring sides departed from and returned to negotiating tables, 'so who says what very much matters'. The former chief of staff had declared 'Slava Ukraini', or 'glory to Ukraine', 'which is unworthy of a soldier and unacceptable', the minister said. Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said it was important to inform NATO about the related investigations taking place in Hungary.
Budapest Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Budapest Times
Defense Minister: Hungary plays active role in strengthening NATO's eastern flank
At a meeting focused on the Russia-Ukraine war, Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the allies needed to refrain from any steps that might hinder the success of the United States' peace efforts or could lead to an escalation of the conflict. The meeting also touched on regional security, strengthening NATO's eastern flank and increasing defense investments. Eastern NATO countries had been under serious pressure since the start of the war in Ukraine to bolster their defenses in response to the threat to their east, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, according to a ministry statement. He said that as a credible ally, Hungary made 'outstanding efforts' relative to its size and opportunities to contribute to NATO's activities. Monday's summit of the presidents of the Bucharest Nine, comprising Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia and the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Iceland Norway and Sweden) was held in preparation for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. Hungary was represented by the defense minister on behalf of President Tamás Sulyok.
Budapest Times
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Defense Minister: Globalist world model has failed, and the future belongs to patriots
The defense minister said that patriots believed that the future of the nation was written "not in imperial centres but at home". Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the globalist world model has failed, and the future belongs to patriots. Speaking at the CPAC Hungary 2025 on Thursday, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that after the Cold War, 'rather than becoming stronger, the West turned upon itself and started questioning its own history … and forgot that freedom is not a legacy but something we have to protect every day.' 'While others grapple with their past, we patriots see increasingly clearly that identity is not a burden but a stance, that the nation is not an outdated concept but a force that shapes the law, and sovereignty is not a hindrance to cooperation but a requirement,' he said. The defense minister said that patriots believed that the future of the nation was written 'not in imperial centres but at home', building on its own traditions, culture and community. Patriots, he added, were unapologetic about their national identity because 'we are not a multinational company or a global corporation but people of flesh and blood…' he said. In the 21st century, wars were not only fought with weapons, he said. 'The front lines are in our heads: they are attacking our culture, faith and way of thinking, because they know they can win without weapons if they can take away the truth and re-shape our identity.' The current government has 'rebuilt' the Hungarian Armed Forces, 'not as a threat but out of respect, because we know that … we must protect the country,' the defense minister added.
Budapest Times
10-04-2025
- Business
- Budapest Times
5,000 Hungarians join armed forces reserves in past 10 months
The defense minister said the territorial reserve system was a good entry point into the professional ranks, and more than 400 reservists have gone on to become professional or contract soldiers. Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said more than 5,000 Hungarians have joined the Hungarian armed forces reserves in the past ten months, declaring that 'yet a new milestone' had been reached and that 'patriotism is indomitable'. Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the numbers proved the success of the army's campaign to induct reservists as well as the commitment of the Hungarian people, adding that the pace of recruitment was 'unprecedented'. 'By mid-January, we reached the four thousand mark, and by April we had already exceeded five thousand…' he said, declaring this a sign of 'strengthening cohesion, community responsibility and camaraderie'. He said the territorial reserve system was a good entry point into the professional ranks, and more than 400 reservists have gone on to become professional or contract soldiers. Companies that employ reservists receive a 'disciplined, confident and motivated workforce' due to their training, he added. Also, employers can claim compensation from the Hungarian armed forces once a reservist is called up, the minister added.
