‘The Western Balkans peace is one of Hungary’s most important security policy interests, as it is a guarantee of European peace, and achieving and ensuring it is a challenging task,’ Tamás Vargha, the parliamentary state secretary of the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday in Kecskemét, at the reception greeting the soldiers of the manoeuvre company of the Hungarian Defence Forces KFOR reserve battalion returning from Kosovo.

Speaking at the Szentgyörgyi Dezső Air Base in Kecskemét, Vargha recalled that Hungarian soldiers have been participating in Balkan operations since 1995, safeguarding the country’s security policy interests. Hungary has been contributing to the ongoing KFOR operation, led by NATO, with officers and contingents since 1999, the state secretary reminded.

Tamás Vargha stated that Hungary has always been on the side of peace, but the country needs strength and preparation for its defence, and it must participate in peace-supporting operations within the framework of alliances. He emphasised that the country needs good and modern weaponry, but also committed, patriotic, and well-trained soldiers.

Vargha also pointed out that the excellent service of more than one hundred soldiers of the KFOR reserve battalion had ‘enhanced the good reputation of the Hungarian Defence Forces.’

Lt. General Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, Commander of the Hungarian Defence Forces, also spoke at the Kecskemét military airport, saying that the reserve battalion members had once again proved to Hungary’s allies that ‘Hungarian soldiers can be counted on.’ He added that last December, they could not have foreseen the situation in Kosovo, which prompted NATO to up its peacekeeping presence in the country. The reinforcements were provided by the manoeuvre company whose soldiers performed patrol and standby duties as well as operated observation posts.

Hungary offered to keep a battalion on standby to the KFOR command in 2022 to support NATO’s role in the Balkans. The Hungarian Defence Force’s KFOR Operational Reserve Battalion was provided by the HDF Kinizsi Pál 30th Armoured Infantry Brigade in Hódmezővásárhely for the entire period.

In December 2022, due to the events in Northern Kosovo, one of the manoeuvre companies of the Operational Reserve Battalion started its mission at the end of December 2022.