In Balkans Montenegro closest to EU integration, says Hungarian President

In the Balkans, Montenegro “stands closest” to joining the European Union, Hungarian President János Áder after meeting his Montenegrin counterpart Filip Vujanovic in Cetinje on Tuesday.

A clearly defined EU enlargement policy is an essential criterion of Europe’s stability and security, Áder said in the Montenegro presidential palace.

He said he states Hungary’s position every time when discussing the issue of enlargement with his European counterparts that Brussels must set a clear timetable with exact deadlines for candidate countries and must also conduct effective talks with them.

As a candidate, Montenegro is a socially stable country which pursues an exemplary neighbourhood policy, he said. It has also produced considerable economic growth over the past few years, he added.

Hungary will continue to support Montenegro’s integration which could serve as a model to inspire other candidates, Áder said.

Vujanovic said his country owed a debt of thanks to Hungary, not only for supporting its European Union integration effort, but also for its immense support helping it join NATO.

He also expressed thanks for the Hungarian army’s immense help supporting Montenegro’s participation in international peace-keeping missions.

Speaking about bilateral economic relations, Vujanovic noted that Hungarian businesses had invested over 470 million euros in Montenegro in the past few years.

As we wrote on April, the Hungarian Wizz Air low-cost airline starts operating five new Western Balkan routes connecting Budapest with five capitals in the Balkan region: Skopje in Macedonia, Podgorica in Montenegro, Tirana in Albania, Pristina in Kosovo and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI