Hungarian foreign minister talks with his Bosnian counterpart in Budapest

Budapest, December 7 (MTI) – Cooperation between Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina has so far lacked intensity, but the two countries are committed to boosting bilateral ties, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said after talks with his Bosnian counterpart in Budapest on Monday.

Szijjarto said peace and stability in the western Balkans is one of Hungary’s key security interests and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina is crucial from this point of view.

Szijjarto reiterated Hungary’s support for Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic integration. Bosnia-Herzegovina has Hungary’s backing in its potential accession to both the European Union and NATO, he said.

Despite the two countries’ geographical proximity, there is no direct flight, train service or motorway connection between their capitals, Szijjarto said, adding that there is a need for regional cooperation between Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia to eliminate transport obstacles to trade.

Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina are also set to boost cooperation in infrastructure development with a view to strengthening energy security.

Szijjarto said the government will support Hungarian companies doing business in Bosnia-Herzegovina to boost bilateral trade.

Bosnian Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak said his meeting with Szijjarto is set to result in stronger cooperation between the two countries. He said bilateral ties can benefit from the fact that there are no ongoing disputes between Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Crnadak said Hungary is currently the country’s tenth largest trading partner but bilateral trade volume should be increased. He highlighted the importance of signing an agreement to avoid double taxation as soon as possible. Tourism is another sector in which the two countries can strengthen ties, Crnadak said.

He expressed his gratitude for Hungary’s support of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic integration, adding that the country is prepared to implement the reforms necessary to begin accession talks with NATO and the EU.

Crnadak said he and Szijjarto also discussed Europe’s migrant crisis. He said migration pressure on Hungary was high, adding that although the wave of migrants had bypassed Bosnia-Herzegovina, his country would have been ready to handle a migrant flow had the migrants decided to alter their route into the EU.

Crnadak said the migrant issue and the question of terrorism are connected and that there are Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina who hold extremist views. He said his country has put significant effort into preventing terrorist attacks, adding that security services are working closely with other agencies in the region, including the security services in Hungary. The minister added, however, that it is not always possible to foil terror plots.

Szijjarto said it was hypocritical to debate whether migration increases the threat of terrorism. He said that the threat of terrorism in Europe would continue unless EU leaders find a way to control the migrant flow.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters