President János Áder has visited Hungarian troops stationed in Kosovo, marking the 20th anniversary of Hungary’s involvement in NATO’s peacekeeping mission in the country.
Hungary’s 21st contingent is made up of 200 troops and is part of a NATO operation comprising 20 NATO member states and eight partner states. President Áder noted that Hungary joined the mission in 1999.
President Áder said the region’s stability is still dependent on NATO units as conflicts have not yet fully dissipated, adding that mass migration further complicates the situation. He added that military presence in Kosovo is still meaningful and significant as it stops the resurgence of old animosities, helps keep the ceasefire and ensures the peace of civic life.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Tibor Benkő thanked those serving in Kosovo for their selfless work. He added that the currently running development program of the armed forces offers great opportunities to Hungarian soldiers. He said that next to procuring new equipment, the Hungarian government also works to ensure a competitive salary for service members.
Photo credit: honvedelem.hu