Hungarian FM: EU integration of West Balkans is a ‘huge economic opportunity’
The European Union integration of the Western Balkan countries presents a “huge economic opportunity” for the bloc, while it could pose “a serious problem” if they do not join the EU, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Thursday.
The economies of the Western Balkan countries are growing at a rate equal to or greater than the average EU growth rate, Szijjártó told a conference organised by the Hungarian bureau of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
Touching on the security aspects of the Western Balkans‘ EU integration, the minister said if the region proved stable as part of the EU, the bloc would have a far greater chance of halting the migration wave facing the continent.
The integration of the Western Balkan region is one of the EU’s biggest challenges, Szijjártó said. He said he was “shocked” to read the European Commission’s report putting the timetable for the accession of Montenegro and Serbia at 2025.
featured image: MTI
Source: MTI
As new countries join the EU its nature changes.
Hungary is pressing for the inclusion of Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and others.
Orbán is seeking to move the centre of power eastward. The addition of eastern countries would increase his own influence. Clearly he regards himself as a major player in the development of the EU. There are no limits to his ego.
There are problems ahead. Are the more prosperous western EU members willing or able to increase their contributions to the budget? Would Orbán accept a reduction in the vast sums Hungary receives, much of which he squanders and shares with his friends?
Thank God for Brexit. Goodbye EU.
@TED,
The EU is clearly being run by Germany, France & the EC, among others. In an otherwise laughable ‘DEMOCRATIC” fashion as anyone i know would call it nothing less than Dictatorial-Socialism. The EU when joined was supposed to protect and preserve the individual nationalities and cultures and not over-bound the elected National Parliaments. Especially not by the means of an non-elected bunch, the EC. Although the EU has lost a member, EUROPE has not! As for Orban’s ego, i’m proud of him. He not only has the ego required to do the job, he also has the BALLs required!! That is much less than i can say about how the BREXIT government as it has taken care of the interests of it’s people, let alone any other western government to date over the last few years! The western governments have allowed and are still promoting and allowing massive land and sea migration of mainly undocumented illegals against the EU and Nations laws. I just heard England is sneaking back in 590 wives of former ISIS fighters and returning moderate ISIS members too!! So from the EU, half sick and half healthy, i say, Goodbye to you too.