Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto said today after meeting Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency member Milorad Dodik in Banja Luka that Hungarians support the stability and European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina not only in words, but also in deeds.
He recalled that there are currently 134 Hungarian soldiers in the peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the press conference, Szijjarto said the world is full of challenges, and Europe could be even more so.
“There is a war going on in Europe and very serious economic and energy problems are emerging. This is why it is the duty of every European politician to do everything to improve security and stability on our continent. This would mean accelerating the European integration of the Western Balkan region. We in Hungary believe that “it is a shame for Brussels that this process has been so slowed down and that the decision that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not guaranteed candidate status is a mistake,” Szijjarto said.
The Hungarian government, he added, has approved 35 million euros to support around 1,400 small and medium-sized business entities in the territory of Republika Srpska.
Dodik thanked Minister Szijjarto and his team for including a visit to Banja Luka in their busy schedule.
“Cooperation with Hungary is very important for us and represents a roadmap that we must follow,” said Dodik.
He said it is an opportunity to discuss the overall political and economic situation, adding that they hope economic cooperation will be even greater.
“I informed Minister Szijjarto that we must act responsibly according to the expectations of the people of Republika Srpska and that we cannot be part of the sanctions package against Russia regardless of the expectations of certain centers of power “, said Dodik.
