Hungary, Croatia to expand military cooperation

The defence ministers of Hungary and Croatia discussed plans to expand defence cooperation in Budapest on Monday. Tibor Benko of Hungary and Damir Krsticevic of Croatia signed inter-governmental agreements on air policing and setting up a central European multinational division. Both ministers praised bilateral defence cooperation and stressed their common responsibility "for the security of European peoples". Benko said that as both countries are NATO members, the agreements signed would help intensify NATO's air defence capabilities. Krsticevic said the air policing agreement will enable the two countries to defend one another's air space without special diplomatic permission or government consent. The two ministers also coordinated a planned multinational military exercise to be held in Hungary from April 25 to June 10.