The minister of state for Security Policy and International Cooperation has said that Hungary is committed to promoting the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries of the Western Balkans region.
Dr István Mikola said Hungary looks forward to sharing its experiences regarding accession to the EU and NATO during the future of Western Balkans states at the 6th Global Baku Forum.
The minister of state stressed that Hungary believes that a more ambitious enlargement plan than envisaged by the European Union is also feasible. Instead of the European Commission’s plan regarding the accession of Serbia and Montenegro in 2025, Hungary takes the view that this could be achieved within a shorter time.
Mikola said that in the case of Albania and Macedonia we are urging the commencement of EU accession talks in June 2018, and he mentioned that the possibility of membership must also be left open for Kosovo.
In addition to the enlargement of the EU, the minister of state further stressed the importance of NATO accession aspirations.
He said the Western Balkans enlargement process cannot slow down even after the accession of Montenegro as NATO membership can be one of the basic pillars of the region’s stability, with special regard to the complex security challenges the region is facing.
He highlighted that the next step in the enlargement process could be the granting of a NATO Membership Action Plan to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mikola also said one of the priorities of the Hungarian V4 Presidency concerned the Western Balkans and pointed out that at the last Budapest meeting of the V4 and Western Balkans formation the V4 countries reassured the Balkans of their strong support.