Strong central Europe in Hungary, Slovenia’s interest, says state secretary

Hungary and Slovenia have a shared interest in a politically and economically strong central Europe within the European Union that is pro- rather than anti-EU, a government official said on Thursday.

A strong EU cannot exist without strong member states or regions capable of developing, Szabolcs Takács, state secretary for EU Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office, told MTI after bilateral talks with Dobran Bozic, state secretary for foreign affairs and Igor Mally, state secretary at the prime minister’s office.

On the agenda of talks were the European parliamentary elections, European integration, the future of the EU, the European Union budget and illegal migration.

EU projects aimed at improving links between Europe’s northern and southern regions, including Hungarian-Slovenian infrastructure and energy links, were also discussed.

Takács said cross-border cooperation was a fundamental aspect of the EU.

“Cooperation between Hungary and Slovenia is excellent, not only as regards EU affairs, but also for Hungarians living here,” he told MTI by phone, noting the opening of a consulate-general in Lendava (Lendva) in 2016 and referring to a Hungarian government economic development scheme backed by the Slovenian government.

Countries that represent fundamental principles and values like national identity, strengthening EU security and competitiveness, the free movement of workers, and the EU without internal border controls can be successful, he said.