Speaking in Sarajevo on Friday, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said representatives of Hungary have signed a foreign policy cooperation action plan with Bosnia and Herzegovina aimed at starting talks on its European integration.
In a press conference held jointly with Bosnian counterpart Elmedin Konaković, Minister Szijjártó said Europe could gain “new momentum, new energies and ambition” through integrating the Western Balkans. “The European Union has at least as great an interest in your fast accession as you have in becoming members,” Minister Szijjártó said, adding that the upcoming Hungarian EU presidency would see it as a top priority to “significantly” accelerate the Western Balkans integration process. He also said that fast integration of the region could result in “stability and calm” in its countries. “All those slowing down the integration of the Western Balkans are working against security in the EU and the interests of the Western Balkans,” the minister added. The EUFOR ALTHEA mission has recently been taken over by a Hungarian commander and the troops include 264 Hungarian soldiers, he added. On the subject of bilateral ties, Minister Szijjártó said the two countries had built close cooperation in recent years, with bilateral trade turnover breaking a record 600 million euros.