President János Áder said Hungary owes a debt of recognition and gratitude to members of the Hungarian EUFOR contingent and Hungarian soldiers serving in NATO forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The president praised them for enhancing the reputation of Hungary by performing their duties stemming from Hungary’s NATO membership, involvement in NATO missions and participation in EU actions on high standard.
According to MTI, the president said Hungarian soldiers involved in construction projects, transportation, reconnaissance, peacekeeping, prevention of conflicts, training in mentoring are enhancing Hungary’s reputation and prestige immediately and in the long term. The president praised the Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina for its ability to adapt itself year by year to historical challenges, pending the situation of the region, including the aggravation or easing of ethnic tensions or migration pressure. Áder emphasised that military forces are indispensable for keeping peace and fighting effectively against the coronavirus pandemic.
Brigadier-General Szilárd Gerőfi, EUFOR chief of staff, said that the 168-strong Hungarian mission, the second biggest one in Bosnia and Herzegovina, would spare no effort to guarantee Bosnia and Herzegovina’s peace and stability which he said could only be based on cooperation and mutual benefits. President Áder paid a one-day official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. He had a meeting with commanders at the Sarajevo headquarters of EUFOR and NATO, and held talks with members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The president was accompanied by Defence Minister Tibor Benkő and Lieutenant-General Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, commander of the Hungarian Armed Forces.
Photo credit: S. Weiss