Hungarian Defense Minister visits Croatia

Hungary’s Minister of Defense, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, is on a multi-day visit to Croatia, where he met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić to discuss strengthening defense cooperation and addressing regional and global security challenges.

Talks centered on Southeast Europe’s security landscape, with both ministers agreeing that Croatia and Hungary play key roles in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The two officials emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in defense industries and trade.

“We are working to strengthen our overall bilateral cooperation, especially when it comes to trade and bolstering our defense industries,” Minister Anušić said. “We took major steps forward in this regard during the minister’s visit.”

Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky highlighted Hungary’s ongoing contribution to monitoring the airspace over Croatia, a role it will maintain until Croatia’s new Rafale fighter jets become operational.

“One of our most important strategic tasks is the protection and monitoring of Croatian airspace,” he noted. “Hungary will continue to do so until Croatia’s new Rafales are ready to take over.”

The visit underscored the close defense partnership between the two neighboring NATO allies and their shared commitment to ensuring regional security and cooperation in light of evolving global challenges.