János Bóka, the European affairs minister, said the natural resources of the Western Balkans have been crucial in terms of Hungary’s energy security.
Referring to Hungary’s upcoming EU presidency, at the international Budapest Balkans Forum organized by the Hungarian Institute Of International Affairs (MKI), Bóka said its priorities would include promoting the EU integration of the Western Balkans. The EU “is not as strong in the Balkans as it could be; this is why we want to put the region in the limelight,” the minister said. Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the minister of defense, who also participated in the forum, said the Western Balkans was going through a process of stabilisation, but also noted “tensions under the surface that could lead to further friction”. Stability in the region is highly important for Hungary, he said and noted Hungary’s presence in NATO’s KFOR mission.