Hungarian Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky stated that they strongly support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territorial integrity and EU membership. Hungary’s assumption of the EU Presidency in the second half of this year will be a good opportunity for the future security of the Western Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnian Defense Minister Zukan Helez emphasized that they value Hungary’s support for EU and NATO membership.
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Hungarian Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky stated that they support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territorial integrity and European Union (EU) membership.
Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez welcomed his Hungarian counterpart Szalay-Bobrovniczky with an official ceremony at the Ministry of Defence in the country’s capital Sarajevo.
Following the closed-door meeting, the ministers held a joint press conference.
“We strongly support the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its accession to the EU,” Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in a statement here.
Recalling that Hungary will take over the EU Presidency in the second half of this year, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, “This will give us a good opportunity to promote the EU’s enlargement. One of Hungary’s top priorities is the future security of the Western Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted that Hungarian Major General Laszlo Sticz will take over command of the EU Peace Force Mission (EUFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina at a ceremony to be held tomorrow, and that they have increased the presence of their troops in EUFOR.
Bosnian Defense Minister Helez stated that they discussed many issues during their meeting with Szalay-Bobrovniczky, saying, “First of all, these are Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East and the expansion of these conflicts. We have concerns about this.”
Helez emphasized that they value the support Hungary gives to its country on its path to EU membership, and noted that Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that they also support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s NATO membership.
On the other hand, Hungarian President Katalin Novak met with the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian Member Zeljko Komsic, Bosniak Member of the Council Denis Becirovic and Serbian Member Zeljka Cvijanovic during her official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which received EU “candidate country” status on December 15, 2022, is expected to begin accession negotiations with the EU in March 2024 if it meets the necessary conditions.
Source: AA
