Following talks with Vasko Gjurchinovski, chief of staff of North Macedonia’s armed forces, in Budapest, Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, commander of the Hungarian Defence Force, said peace and security in the Western Balkans are of paramount importance for Hungary.
The Hungarian commander said North Macedonia is key in keeping peace and security in the region. At their annual meeting, the two military leaders reviewed the situation in the Western Balkans and agreed that Hungarian troops serving in the region will participate in exercises organised in North Macedonia. They also discussed the future of the EUFOR Althea mission, Hungary’s military reform and North Macedonia’s military plans, Ruszin-Szendi said. Referring to the war in Ukraine, Ruszin-Szendi said he had shared with Gjurchinovski information Hungary had gained as “a NATO front country”. Concerning illegal migration, Ruszin-Szendi said North Macedonia’s experience was indispensable for Hungary to prepare for a possible increase in the pressure posed by migration. He expressed the Hungarian government’s support for the EU integration of the whole of the Western Balkans.