Minister Vengu and Hungarian counterpart: Deepened defence partnership and clear support for Albania’s european integration

Published: Tuesday, 24 February 2026 12:12

Budapest – Albania’s Defence Minister, Pirro Vengu, held a joint press conference today with his Hungarian counterpart, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, following their bilateral meeting in Budapest, where the close partnership between the two countries in defence, security, and European integration was reaffirmed.

In his remarks, Minister Vengu thanked his Hungarian counterpart and his team for their hospitality and the intensive cooperation developed over recent years, noting that Albania and Hungary have built a very close partnership across all levels of governance. He underlined that Hungarian investments and companies of excellence operating in Albania now represent an important pillar for cooperation, including in the military sphere.

The Albanian Minister expressed appreciation for Hungary’s strong support for Albania’s membership in the European Union, emphasizing that the country has opened all negotiating clusters and is advancing with reforms and the achievement of interim benchmarks.
“We need the support of all member states so that this process, both technical and political, continues without delay,” he stated.

A significant part of the discussions focused on cooperation in defence and the defence industry. Minister Vengu commended the development of Hungary’s defence industry and stressed Albania’s intention to integrate military supply chains, with a preference for allied countries. In this context, the parties signed two agreements: one to intensify civil-level defence cooperation, and another between the institutions responsible for Defence Innovation, aimed at securing greater access to European funding programmes.

Minister Vengu also highlighted the strategic importance of Southeast Europe for the continent’s security, stating:
“Albania is not Europe’s periphery, but part of its nerve center.”
He recalled the joint engagement of Albania and Hungary in the KFOR mission and the European Union mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For his part, Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky expressed satisfaction with the bilateral meeting in Budapest and welcomed Albania as a NATO member and European country. He emphasized that the Western Balkans play a key historical, economic, and social role and praised Albania for its contribution to regional stability.

The Hungarian Minister also expressed particular appreciation for Albania’s long and consistent path toward European integration, underlining that Hungary continues to fully support Albania’s accession to the European Union. According to him, this process is deserved and based on the fulfillment of reforms and standards—not on political or ideological considerations—clarifying that this approach differs from Hungary’s position in other cases, including Ukraine, whose EU membership Hungary does not support.

Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky welcomed the modernization efforts undertaken by Albania’s Ministry of Defence, emphasizing that “a colossal effort has been made, in line with NATO standards.” He added that meeting NATO targets and sharing experience are essential for both sides, as confirmed during the bilateral meeting.

In conclusion, the Hungarian Minister assured that Albania can always rely on Hungary and its Ministry of Defence.