Hungarian president holds talks with Macedonian counterpart

Budapest, March 20 (MTI) – President János Áder on Monday discussed the impact of the Balkan region’s stability on that of Europe with his Macedonian counterpart in Budapest.

Europe’s stability depends on the Balkan region, Áder told a press conference he held jointly with Gjorge Ivanov.

Áder said stability in the Balkans depended on the magnitude of the migration pressure on the region, including Macedonia. It also depends on whether the Balkan countries have a clear perspective of Euro-Atlantic integration, he added.

A clear integration strategy and perspective would help stabilise Macedonia and the region as a whole, Áder said.

After Macedonia “being fed with empty promises” for about ten years, genuine talks should be launched with that country on NATO and EU accession, he said.

Ásider expressed thanks to Macedonia for making “efforts beyond its means” to handle the migrant crisis. If the migration pressure mounts, the European Union should not be “close-fisted” if if comes to technical or financial assistance or to raising the number of soldiers patrolling the border, he said.

Ivanov said the EU and NATO should send a clear message to Macedonia that advances its accession to those organisations. He noted Hungarian-Macedonian cooperation as a good example of how to develop relations between an EU member state and a candidate country.

“Macedonia respects Hungary as a partner and a friend which has always selflessly supported its efforts to halt illegal migration,” the president said. He also thanked Hungary for its “open and sincere support” for Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration endeavours.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI