Hungary’s foreign minister had talks in Slovakia

Bratislava (Pozsony) – Slovakia and Hungary will build a high voltage electric line connecting the two countries under an agreement signed in Bratislava on Wednesday. Hungary’s foreign minister, had talks with leaders of Slovakia’s ethnic Hungarian MKP party.

Slovakia, Hungary to build cross-border power line

At the signing ceremony, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó praised bilateral relations, and said that “shared success stories can turn the most delicate ties into an alliance”.

The new line will contribute to energy security in central Europe, and will promote the international electricity trade.

During his stay in Bratislava, Szijjártó made a brief visit to Miroslav Lajcak, his Slovak counterpart, and discussed objectives of Hungary’s upcoming Visegrad Four presidency.

Szijjártó meets Slovakia Hungarian leaders

After his talks, Szijjártó said it was in Hungary’s “national and economic interest” to maintain ties of a strategic alliance with Slovakia. He added that “tight and reliable” relations between the two countries’ governments could positively impact Slovakia’s Hungarian minority.

At MKP’s headquarters, Szijjártó met MKP leader József Menyhárt and discussed topical issues around the local Hungarian community.

MKP leader József Menyhárt, photo: MTI

“In future we will continue efforts to create a foundation of confidence through shared success stories of Hungary and Slovakia to enable us to resolve issues which may sometimes be very sensitive,” Szijjártó said. The Hungarian government will also continue developing infrastructural ties with Slovakia, such as building a new bridge on the river Danube between Komárom and Komarno (Révkomárom) and a motorway in the Rajka area. Another 11 crossing stations will be added to the existing 34 between Hungary and Slovakia, the minister added.

Similarly to Hungary-assisted programmes in northern Serbia and western Ukraine, the government will launch a scheme in southern Slovakia in cooperation with MKP and with “significant contributions from Hungary’s central budget to promote the local economy, Szijjártó said.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI