Chief of the General Staff Highlights EU Defense Goals at EUMC Meeting

MTI-Hungary Today 2024.10.16.

Hungary aims to strengthen the EU’s defense and crisis management capabilities, especially amid the migrant situation, said Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the General Staff, after the EU Military Committee (EUMC) meeting in Budapest.

Gen. Böröndi emphasized the significance of the meeting, noting, “this meeting of the EUMC was significant because it was only the second to be held outside Brussels.”

The Chief of the General Staff reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to EU military operations, stating, “our common goal is for the EU to play a leading role in providing its own security.”

He highlighted the contributions of Western Balkan countries to European defense, mentioning the EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He also noted Hungary’s participation in the EU’s military mission in the Northwest Pacific of India, aimed at restoring trade routes and peace.

Group photo of the Chiefs of General Staff of the 24 EU Member States at their meeting . Photo: MTI / Kovács Tamás

Robert Brieger, chairman of the EU Military Committee, addressed the need for the EU to be prepared for crises in its neighborhood, discussing strategic issues like naval military operations and support for Ukraine. He stated that the EU is close to achieving full operational capability for rapid crisis response.

Böröndi reiterated the EU’s commitment to assisting the Ukrainian armed forces with financial support, training, and military equipment since the war’s outbreak. He concluded that Hungary does not support the EU training mission for Ukraine but remains neutral, as Hungarian soldiers are not participating in it.

Fact

The EUMC is the highest military body set up within the Council of the European Union, and is composed of the Chiefs of Defense (CHODs) of the Member States. The EUMC directs all military activities within the EU framework, in particular the planning and execution of military missions and operations under the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) and the development of military capabilities.

The EUMC conducts two formal CHOD level meetings per year. One during spring (usually in May) and one during autumn (usually in October). The meeting in Budapest between October 14-16, was the second formal CHOD level meeting outside of Brussels. The first formal CHOD level meeting outside of Brussels was organized by the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU in October 2023, in Sevilla, Spain

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Via MTI; Featured Image: MTI / Balogh Zoltán