The Hungarian EU Presidency’s policy to promote the enlargement process in the Western Balkans enjoys the full support of Central European countries, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Tuesday in Ljubljana.
The minister stressed during a press conference following the meeting of foreign ministers of the Central European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia) that the Hungarian presidency of the EU this year would take place at a difficult time. . He stressed, on the one hand, that there will be European elections, for which all the countries present have high expectations, even if they differ. On the other hand, he added, the continent is going through a difficult year, the Community is in bad shape and further deterioration must be avoided. To achieve this, he believes, it is necessary to strengthen security and give new impetus to the European Union: these will be the central objectives of the Hungarian presidency, which will begin in July.
In the latter context, Minister Szijjártó stated that
the integration of the Western Balkan states could bring new energy to the EU and, in this regard, Central European member states have a particular responsibility.
He noted that countries in the region openly and genuinely support enlargement, while several other actors publicly present themselves as being in favor, but in reality only hinder the process. He stressed that since true supporters are therefore in the minority, Central European countries must join forces to promote this cause. In this context, he welcomed the fact that his colleagues all agree with the government’s objectives in this area and that the enlargement policy of the Hungarian EU Presidency thus benefits from the full support of the Central Europe. “We Hungarians will do everything possible to bring the Western Balkan countries closer to the European Union,” he stressed.
In the context of restoring security, Szijjártó said that
we must intensify the fight against illegal immigration and tackle the causes at local level, and strengthen the protection of external borders, as Hungary has done.
He stressed the importance of dismantling smuggling networks, recalling that there have been several cases of criminals and migrants shooting at border guards. The politician also stressed that the so-called “pull factor” of migration must be weakened and that it must be made clear that compulsory resettlement quotas have this effect.
Via MTI, featured image: Facebook/Szijjártó Péter
