Hungary’s partnership with the Western Balkans in higher education, research, and culture has entered a new phase of intensified collaboration, according to Minister of Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó.
The foreign minister said the inauguration of US President Donald Trump a few days ago had launched a new era in world politics.
Minister Szijjártó noted that five Western Balkan countries had been waiting to join the EU “for 14 years and 10 months on average”.
Peace and stability in the Western Balkans was in Hungary’s vested interest, which was why Hungary had been serving on missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina for almost 30 years.
Minister Szijjártó said the bloc’s competitiveness had dived due to the war in Ukraine and it “needs the Western Balkans” and the fresh energy and rapid development that it would bring with its accession.
Barna Pál Zsigmond said Hungary and North Macedonia shared very similar views on migration, adding that the aim was for there to be no illegal migrants on their countries’ territories.
The foreign minister argued that Europe faced extraordinary economic and security challenges, so stability and peace in the Western Balkans had never been more important.
Minister Szijjártó said the EU was “in bad shape”, with its security, economy and energy supplies weakened.
“Europe does not need another security challenge, and the Western Balkans’ peace and stability is crucial," the foreign minister said.
“Hungary finds it unacceptable that delays to the enlargement process may end up weakening the European Union,” Lőrinc Nacsa said.
The president added that it is very important that the countries of the region join the European Union as soon as possible.
The foreign minister made the remarks on Facebook following clashes in Kosovo in which KFOR peacekeepers, including Hungarian soldiers, came under attack.
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Hungary is a staunch supporter of the European integration of the Western Balkans.