The foreign minister said it is important not to allow the cessation of one iota of state sovereignty.
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Hungary’s example proves that it is possible to enforce national interests as a loyal member of the European Union and NATO. The foreign minister said it is important not to allow the cessation of one iota of state sovereignty.
During a visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday, the minister added that recent election victories by pro-peace and patriotic forces have provided the strongest hope yet for a return to peace in Europe.
Recent important elections have seen the friends of the Hungarian government emerge victorious, Szijjarto told a joint press conference with Milorad Dodik, president of the autonomous Bosnian Serb Republic of Republika Srpska, according to a ministry statement, noting the elections in Austria, Republika Srpska and the United States.
“Pro-peace, patriotic forces and pro-peace, patriotic leaders won everywhere,” Minister Szijjártó said. “This means that there’s never been greater hope for a return to peace in Europe… And calm provides a stability that will make it possible for the coming period in central Europe to be one of great economic growth.”
He said the new situation gave Hungary the chance to carry on with its responsible neighbourhood policy focused on speeding up the European integration of the Western Balkans and economic development schemes.
The minister pointed to the success of a 26 million euro scheme helping agricultural businesses in Republika Srpska under which they buy equipment manufactured in Hungary.
“Since this is a win-win programme for us, we have decided to continue it, and — at the president’s proposal — expand it to cover a broader circle of small businesses,” Szijjarto said.
Meanwhile, he said Hungarian companies have begun making preparations to contribute to the construction of a solar park, a wind farm and a sewage treatment plant in the Republika Srpska.
Minister Szijjártó said recent election wins by patriotic, pro-peace forces offered a chance for international and Western Balkans politics to return to the grounds of mutual respect.
“It’s time we ended the politics of threats, lecturing and sanctions,” Minister Szijjártó said. “And it’s also time we strengthened civilised dialogue with elected leaders.”
“I think we’re in a much better position now than we were a few years ago, and this more favourable environment offers another opportunity to make our cooperation more effective,” he added.
In response to a question, Minister Szijjártó said that”in the last 1,000 days there has never been as great a chance to achieve peace in Ukraine as there is now”.
“We sincerely hope that President Donald Trump will be successful in carrying out his plans and achieving peace as soon as possible,” he said. “What we see is that every single day of war brings more casualties, more destruction and more suffering.”
Minister Szijjártó also underlined the need for Europe to pursue a new strategy. “I trust that Donald Trump’s victory will also strengthen the voices of peace and mutual respect in Europe,” he said. “And if the voices of peace and mutual respect are strengthened, then those in Brussels will also have to show more respect when talking to Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Bosnian Serbs.”
