Hungary seeks major economic presence in Albania, says Szijjarto in Tirana

Tirana, December 10 (MTI) – Hungary seeks to establish a major economic presence in Albania and promote its European integration, Hungary’s foreign minister said in Tirana today.

Peter Szijjarto told MTI over the phone that in talks with his Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati it was agreed that Hungary would assign experts to help the Albanian government in the EU integration process. He noted that stability in the Western Balkans could be best promoted through keeping the option of European accession open for countries in the region.

Referring to the scrapped South Stream gas pipeline project, Szijjarto urged finding new routes and said that Azeri and Russian gas should come from the direction of Southeast Europe.

Hungary works to strengthen economic cooperation with Albania, Szijjarto said, adding that Hungarian companies could participate in projects such as the integration of Albania’s and Macedonia’s electricity networks, water management, railway development projects and agriculture.

The foreign minister also said that Hungary and Albania shared a commitment to international efforts against the Islamic State terrorist organisation.

Szijjarto had held talks with Economy Minister Arben Ahmetaj and Parliamentary Speaker Ilir Meta earlier in the day and had inaugurated the new compound of the Hungarian embassy.

Photo: MTI/Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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