UN Peacekeeping

Hungary first participated in UN peacekeeping activities in 1988 by joining the UN Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG). Since then, Hungary’s role in peacekeeping missions has continuously increased. The 1993 ministerial decree on the Principles of the National Defence of the Republic of Hungary already stated that the Hungarian Defence Forces shall possess forces that enable the participation of Hungary to contribute to the peacekeeping and peacemaking activity of the UN and other international organizations. Until the mid-1990s, based on its capacity and abilities, Hungary participated in military observer missions. Hungary sent the first armed troops under a UN flag to Cyprus in 1995, where Hungarian peacekeepers continue to serve as of today.

Hungarian peacekeepers in Cyprus
Source: Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Hungary

In the 1990s, the Balkan Wars in the direct neighbourhood of Hungary clearly pointed out the strong need for peacekeeping, which has been a priority for our country. Hungary participates in UN crisis management operations in accordance with the guidelines of the National Security Strategy  and the National Military Strategy  and based on the country’s economic performance.

Hungary’s participation in peacekeeping operations is based on our EU and NATO membership and on the operational target set by the Hungarian Parliament which aims at 1000 persons serving in peacekeeping operations.

Hungary’s commitment to peacekeeping under the auspices of the UN is well-indicated by the fact that our nation has participated in 25 UN peacekeeping missions and it also contributes to the work of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) .

Participation of Hungary’s military and defense forces in UN operations

	Operation	State	Duration
Participation of military forces
1	UNIIMOG	Iran-Iraq	1988-1991
2	Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq	Iraq	1991
3	UNIKOM	Iraq-Kuwait	1991-2003
4	UNAVEM / MONUA	Angola	1991-1999
5	UNOMOZ	Mozambique	1993-1994
6	UNOMIL	Liberia	1993
7	UNOMIR / UNOMUR	Uganda-Rwanda	1993-1994
8	UNOMIG	Georgia	1994-2009
9	UNMOT	Tajikistan	1995
10	UNFICYP	Cyprus	1995-continuous
11	UNMIK	Kosovo	1999-2009
12	MINURSO	Western-Sahara	1999-continuous
13	UNMOGIP	India-Pakistan	1999-2000
14	UNSCON	Iraq	2002-2003
15	UNIFIL	Lebanon	2006-continuous
Participation of defense forces
16	UNTAG	Namibia	1989-1990
17	UNTAC	Cambodia	1992-1993
18	ONUMOZ	Mozambique	1994
29	UNAVEM	Angola	1994-1999
20	MINURSO	Western-Sahara	1995-1996
21	UNMIBH	Bosnia-Herzegovina	1996-2003
22	UNMIK	Kosovo	1999-2008
23	UNTOP	Tajikistan	2008
24	UNOMIG	Georgia	2004-2005
25	UN DPKO	New York	2002-2010

Source: Ministry of Defense, Ministry of the Interior (November 2009)

PSTC Certificate 

Statement by Mr. Attila Zimonyi , Chargé d’affaires a. i. of the Permanent Mission of Hungary at the Open debate of the Security Council on UN Peacekeeping Operations (New York, August 26, 2011)