Peter Magjar: Hungary wants peace, so it needs strong armed forces

Hungary’s prime minister, Peter Magjar, said that in today’s uncertain world the country needs strong armed forces — while stressing that this does not mean Hungary seeks war. "On the contrary — we want peace and we want to live in peace," he told attendees at a ceremony outside the parliament building.

The remarks came during the national flag raising and the swearing-in of new recruits held on the occasion of St. Stephen's Day (István). Magjar said the new soldiers are beginning their service at a particularly complicated moment.

Changes in warfare and a demand for capability

"There is a war in Europe, the world is more unpredictable than it has been for decades, new weapon systems are appearing, and the character of military operations changes in months what used to change in decades," the prime minister said, underlining his view that the global security environment is evolving rapidly.

He argued that preserving peace requires effective diplomacy, reliable allies and a national defence capacity of its own. According to Magjar, those elements must work together to deter threats and protect national interests.

"The Hungarian Armed Forces must be an army that both Hungarians and our allies can rely on — well equipped, excellently trained, technologically advanced and, above all, well led. To achieve that, we need you," the prime minister told the soldiers.

Photo: press material from the event