Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó was in Sarajevo today to discuss security, economic, transport and diplomatic cooperation, from where, in a telephone interview with Hungarian news agency MTI, he stressed: “It is in Hungary’s fundamental security interests for Bosnia-Hercegovina to integrate as soon as possible into those organisations that represent a guarantee to the security and stability of the Western Balkan country”.
“The peace and stability of the Western Balkan region is in the fundamental security interests of Hungary and the stability of Bosnia-Hercegovina plays a key role in this in view of the fact that the country is currently the most vulnerable in the region from both a political and economic perspective”, he added.
Bosnia-Hercegovina “is only a little over 100 kilometres from Hungary, and so all possible changes in a negative direction represent a security risk for Central Europe and especially for the closest Central European country, Hungary”, he said.
In Sarajevo, Mr. Szijjártó met with Bosnian Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak, Prime Minister Denis Zvizdic and current President of the three-member state presidency Bakir Izetbegovic, in addition to which he visited the European Union’s military mission in Bosnia, where 163 Hungarian soldiers are also currently deployed. With relation to this, the Foreign Minister stressed: “Hungary has sent the second most military personnel from among the EU’S Member States, which proves that Hungary’s doesn’t just talk about the importance of Bosnian peace and stability, but is also acting to ensure it.” He also pointed out that an agreement had been reached on the fact that a Hungarian official will be filling the recently vacated post of political advisor to the commander of the military mission.
“Hungary supports Bosnia-Hercegovina’s integration into three important international organisations: NATO, the European Union and the World Trade Organisation (WTO)”, the Minister stressed. With regard to the details, Mr. Szijjártó said the action plan for Bosnia-Hercegovina’s NATO membership should be put into operation at the July summit in Warsaw, in addition to which Hungary is supporting the earliest possible commencement of practical negotiations concerning the country’s accession to the European Union and hopes the upcoming EU Presidency in July will mean that talks can begin sometime during the summer.
“Annual trade flow between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Hungary totals some 400 million euros”, Mr. Szijjártó highlighted, adding that the parties would like to increase this volume further and accordingly have agreed to conclude an agreement on avoiding double taxation sometime before the end of this year. Furthermore, a 61.5 million euro credit line has been opened to facilitate cooperation between enterprises from Hungary and Bosnia-Hercegovina, he continued.
“Two flagships of the Hungarian economy are already active in Bosnia-Hercegovina”, the Foreign Minister pointed out. “MOL, which operates more than a hundred petrol stations via various subsidiaries, and whose market expansion is not objected to by the Bosnian authorities, and water management, in view of the fact the Hungary is also participating in Bosnian flood protection activities. We can also expect a significant step forward within the field of transport this year in view of the fact that the direct air service between Budapest and Sarajevo will recommence before the end of the year, Mr. Szijjártó added.
Furthermore, the Hungarian Government has offered 50 scholarship places for Bosnian students to study in Hungary and the parties have also agreed that Bosnia-Hercegovina will support Hungary’s bid for membership of the UN Human Rights Council in November.
During the meeting, Bosnia-Hercegovina expressed its gratitude for Hungary’s assistance with relation to the integration process.