Szijjarto: Euro-Atlantic integration of western Balkan would lead to peace, stability

Budapest (MTI) – The road to peace and stability in the western Balkans leads via European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister, said after meeting Ranko Krivokapic, the parliamentary speaker of Montenegro in Budapest on Friday.

This is why Hungary is committed to supporting the integration of Montenegro, Szijjarto said.

At a meeting of foreign ministers of NATO member states to be held in December, Hungary will call for Montenegro to be invited forthwith to join the alliance, he said.

Krivokapic said that Hungary had been Montenegro’s mentor over the past few years, and without Budapest’s help the country’s situation would have been much tougher.

Krivokapic also had talks with Laszlo Kover, his Hungarian counterpart.

After the talks, Kover told a press conference that though NATO is not likely to extend an official invitation to Montenegro before December, the invitation “could be taken as given”. He added there was reason in terms of Montenegro’s readiness or other aspects for NATO to hesitate.

Hungary has fully supported Montenegro’s NATO accession and will continue to provide help, Kover said, expressing hope, too, that the country would soon be able to join the European Union.

Krivokapic said his country was ready to join NATO and would be a reliable partner of the organisation.

Photo: MTI

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