Bosnia-Herzegovina: Hungary is bridge towards EU

In this photo, PM Viktor Orbán receives Željka Cvijanović, acting President of the State Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the Carmelite Monastery on 24 January 2023. Source: MTI/Prime Minister's Press Office/Fischer Zoltán

The President of Bosnia-Herzegovina says Hungary is a bridge to the EU for her country.

Hungary is a bridge to the European Union that can help Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans to build ties with the European community, Željka Cvijanović, acting president of the state presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said in Budapest on Monday after meeting with President of the Republic Katalin Novák.

At their joint press conference, Željka Cvijanović said that her country is grateful that Hungary is showing an understanding towards the Western Balkans that not many in the EU are showing, Portfolio writes. They appreciate Hungary’s good relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans region. It is important that Hungary has shown that it is serious about economic cooperation with the region, she added.

The Hungarian government is a strong supporter of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, and regularly advocates the accession of these countries.

Orban discusses cooperation with president

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also met Željka Cvijanović in Budapest on Tuesday, to discuss matters of international security and developing cooperation between the countries, the PM’s press chief said. In “dangerous times”, the stability and security of Bosnia-Herzegovina is especially important for Hungary, Bertalan Havasi quoted Orbán as saying.

Hungary continues to be open to cooperation and to supporting Bosnia-Herzegovina’s EU integration and economic development, he said. Cvijanović thanked Hungary for its help, and said it was important to continue “lively dialogue” and to strengthen economic and trade relations.