Kotromanović and Hungarian Minister of Defence talked on the exchange of radar images

 

At the meeting which took place at the initiative of the Hungarian Minister of Defence, in order to strengthen the good bilateral relations, the ministers discussed the possibility of exchange of radar images in the border area, the security situation in the region, including opportunities for including Hungary in Croatian-Czech helicopter initiative as one of the projects based on the NATO concept of “Smart Defence”, and the talks were also on the Hungarian experience with the conclusion and renewal of lease on JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft and on the Croatian considerations regarding the procurement of aircraft and airspace defence and maintenance of air policing capability.

On this occasion, Minister Kotromanović said that Croatia was ready to exchange raw radar image with Hungary in the frame of improvement of bilateral defence cooperation. Both Ministers agreed with the proposal of establishing expert teams who would examine all aspects of possible cooperation, and propose quality solutions acceptable to both parties.

“This project will strengthen national operating capabilities in the conditions of financial crisis and reduced defence budgets and provide cost savings and increased efficiency, sustainability, and interoperability”, Minister Kotromanović said. The first meeting of the expert teams should be held in September this year in Zagreb.

Hungarian Defence Minister Csaba Hende thanked the Croatian side on the invitation for Hungary to join Croatian-Czech initiative on development of allies’ capabilities in the field of standardized helicopter training and launching of the International centre for training of helicopter pilots. He expressed the hope that the joint training program for pilots would start this year. Minister Kotromanović pointed out that the aforementioned project was opened to the involvement of interested nations. “Given the fact that the Hungarian Armed Forces participate in the ISAF mission with AA teams, the Hungarian inclusion contributes to the quality of the project, as well as an additional contribution to the development of the concept of pooling and sharing of capabilities”, Minister Kotromanović said. In addition to Hungary, the interest for inclusion in the project so far has been reported by Latvia, Lithuania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Hungarian Minister informed the Croatian delegation on the extension of the lease on JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft till 2026, as well as on the possibility from next year for Hungary to take over the control of the Slovenian airspace. The meeting at the level of air force commanders was also agreed, where Hungarian side would get acquainted the Croatian side with its own experiences as well as with technical and financial details of the acquisition of combat aircraft.

Regarding the situation in the region, both ministers agreed that the sustainable stability and security was a strategic national interest of Croatia and Hungary. Minister Kotromanović expressed strong and continuous commitment and support of Croatia to Euro-Atlantic perspective of the region.

“Croatia remains committed to providing support and assistance to these countries on their path towards Euro-Atlantic integration. As a NATO member and future EU member, Croatia is ready to take its share of responsibility in the dissemination of European standards in the region, and is not intended to highlight the outstanding bilateral issues during the negotiations to join the European Union of any of our neighbours”, Minister Kotromanović said.

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