Hungarian Defence and Security Policy

1. Hungarian Defence and Security Policy Mr. György RÁBAI Counsellor HU MoD, Defence Policy Department

2. Topics • Security challenges • Lessons learned in NATO • Transformation of NATO, reform in Hungary • Transatlantic relations - ESDP

3. Changing security environment • The waning of conventional threats • Euro-Atlantic integration process in our region • New challenges

4. The waning of conventional threats • Hungary is not threatened by conventional military aggression • Largely stable geopolitical environment, cooperation instead of confrontation between states • Low probability of conventional threats in the next decade

5. The Euro-Atlantic Integration Process • Hungary joined both NATO (1999) and EU (2004) • From the seven neighbouring countries, in 1994 none was member of EU or NATO, in 2004 4 countries are members of one or both of these organisations along with Hungary • All of the not yet integrated neighbours are on the path of EU and/or NATO integration (for Ukraine and Serbia it is a long term process) • The integration process has greatly fostered good neighbourly relations

6. The emergence of new threats • International terrorism and other asymmetric threats • Regional instability • Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery

7. International terrorism • Event with the highest probability from the new threats • Expected target areas: • Hungarian soldiers serving abroad (especially in Iraq and Afghanistan) • Hungarian interests (especially in Iraq and Afghanistan)

8. Hungarian contribution to the fight against terrorism • Measures taken by the Government • Hungarian participation in Afghanistan • Hungarian contribution to the war in Iraq

9. Regional instability - Conflicts stemming from ethnic or religious differences • Low threat level, due to NATO’s peacekeeping activity on the Western Balkans • Reopening of conflicts cannot be entirely ruled out • Hungary is also affected by regional instability beyond Europe (Middle East, Afghanistan)

10. WMD proliferation • The number of states possessing NBCR weapons is going to grow • Possibility of WMD in terrorist hands • Possible direct threat to Hungarian forces participating in Coalition and NATO operations • Threat against NATO allies and Hungary

11. Hungary in NATO • Change of paradigm:self defence vs. collective defence • Transformation of NATO

12. Reform initiatives • Kosovo: shock for European Allies • Washington Summit: DCI • Hungary: Strategic Review

13. Reform initiatives (cont’d) • 9/11 USA • PCC • defence against WMD • dominance of command, control and information • interoperability and combat efficiency • deployability and sustainability

14. Defence Review • New capabilities • Professional army • Modernization • Harmony between the number of personnel and the defence structure • Financial resources

15. Transatlantic relations • No alternative of transatlantic partnership • The only choice: America and Europe • NATO: cornerstone of collective defence • Preserving „Open Door Policy”

16. Hungary’s view on ESDP • Important to strengthen the ESDP • Increased political and military weight for Europe • Hungary supports initiatives which: • enhance European defence capabilities • avoid unnecessary duplications • strengthen the transatlantic link

17. Hungary’s view on ESDP (cont’d) • Should be directed primarily to immediate neighbourhood of EU • Balanced development of military and civilian crisis management capability • Optimise use of resources, maximise capabilities

18. Thank you for your attention! Questions?