Turkey and Hungary are partners and allies, says defence minister in Ankara

Turkey and Hungary’s defence ministers on Monday initialled an agreement on establishing the legal conditions for future military cooperation.

The two countries are partners and allies in terms of trade, culture and defence, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungary’s defence minister, said in Ankara after meeting Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar.

The ministry said in a statement that Szalay-Bobrovniczky praised high-level bilateral ties based on mutual trust.

Both countries want peace in Ukraine and promote this position at every possible opportunity, the statement said.

“We highly appreciate [Turkish] efforts made towards peace as mediators between the warring parties,”

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in Ankara.

He noted Turkey’s humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Hungarian efforts to help people fleeing the war.

Both ministers emphasised the importance of NATO anticipating threats from all sides, including combatting terrorism. Turkey and Hungary are both committed and respected members of NATO, the statement said.

Read alsoTurkey and Hungary are partners and allies, says defence minister in Ankara

Both officials also were in agreement on the importance of maintaining stability of the Western Balkans, noting that a Hungarian commander headed KFOR until recently and Turkey will take over the command from Italy in a year’s time.