Orbán government wants the speedy EU integration of the Western Balkans

The speedy integration of as many Western Balkan countries as possible is in Hungary’s interest, the interior ministry’s state secretary told MTI by phone in Tirana on Thursday.

Bence Rétvári attended and addressed the Berlin Process Summit 2023 in the Albanian capital. At the summit attended by 20 states and international organisations including the Interpol, several Western Balkan countries indicated that they had already fulfilled the integration criteria.

Rétvári said he stated at the summit Hungary’s unwavering support to the fastest possible integration of the region’s countries which is in Hungary’s interest. He said illegal migration and measures to combat it featured high on the summit’s agenda and highlighted “a successful” border control cooperation of Serbian, Hungarian and Austrian police forces. The state secretary proposed launching similar cooperation at the Bulgarian-Turkish and the Greek-Turkish borders which are the EU’s external borders.

Orbán discusses situation in Europe, energy issues with Bulgarian president

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán discussed with Rumen Radev, the president of Bulgaria, the political situation in Europe and energy issues at their meeting in Budapest on Thursday, Orbán’s press chief told MTI. At the talks, Orbán underlined Bulgaria’s increased role in contributing to Hungary’s energy security as a transit country. He praised Bulgaria for being an excellent partner in that area, Bertalan Havasi said.

Orbán and Radev discussed the EU integration prospects of the Western Balkan countries and the importance of a ceasefire and peace talks concerning the war in Ukraine. During Radev’s visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed on strengthening the cooperation between Bulgargaz and MVM CEEEnergy’s subsidiaries in gas supplies and trade in central and eastern Europe.