The Hungarian Defense Forces will play a key role in the Western Balkans.Continue reading
A law was passed on the extension of the Defense Forces’ mission in Iraq and the participation in the Balkan mission, reports Magyar Nemzet. Furthermore, the law on nuclear energy has changed and parliament passed a law on Hungarian architecture.
The resolution on the Hungarian Defense Forces’ involvement in Iraq was adopted by 167 votes to 21, with no abstentions. With the proposal, the government is suggesting to extend the military mission in Iraq until the end of 2025, in order to help fight terrorism and curb migration.
The mandate also sets out further reductions in staffing, including for capacity building of partners, military assistance, advisory and team support tasks, and
a military contingent of up to 20, and up to 40 during the rotation period, equipped with the necessary technical tools, weapons, and equipment.
Explaining the amendment, Tamás Vargha, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, said that since the 2015 mandate of the National Assembly, the nature of the Iraq operation has changed, the Defense Forces have a role in NATO’s collective defense work, and must also participate in stopping illegal migration.
Another proposal for a decision, adopted by 172 votes in favor, 1 against and 15 abstentions, is aimed at harmonizing the public authorizations and mandates for participation in the Balkan peace mission.
The Hungarian Defense Forces will contribute significant forces and capabilities to EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina and KFOR in Kosovo, and in 2024, Hungary will be the lead nation in the largest EU military mission.
The amendment of the Nuclear Energy Act, along with certain energy and related laws, the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority Act, and the Energy Efficiency Act, which was adopted by 141 votes in favor, 42 against and six abstentions, aims to promote Hungary’s energy sovereignty even more effectively.
It is intended to continue to guarantee a high level of nuclear safety and to improve the efficiency of regulatory supervision.
In the case of electricity, the connection of generating units will be facilitated, but there will also be changes in relation to energy from renewable energy sources.
The Paks nuclear power plant. Photo via Facebook/MVM Paksi Atomerőmű Zrt.
The Hungarian Architecture Act, merging four laws, was adopted by 135 votes to 44, with 12 abstentions. In the future, the principles and rules of the Chamber of Hungarian Architects will be renewed.
János Lázár, Minister of Construction, who introduced the bill, stressed that the aim was to strengthen the role of municipalities and simplify the procedure for obtaining permits from the authorities. Local planning councils will be given veto powers, the national network of chief architects will cover the whole country, the concept of a chief architect for Lake Balaton will be introduced, and Hungary will have a chief gardener for landscape gardening.
In the production, development, and trade of building materials, a patriotic policy is to be introduced to protect the Hungarian market and support Hungarian businesses.
A brownfield cadastre will be set up, surveying all brownfield sites in the country. The legislators will also introduce new rules on the placement of advertising.
The law will be supplemented with detailed rules on priority investments, and the government will be empowered to define their scope by decree. The law also lays down conditions for the construction of tall buildings over 65 meters.
Via Magyar Nemzet, Featured image via honvedelem.hu
