“Hungary is continuing to do everything to ensure that the Western Balkan countries are able to join the European Union as soon as possible, in view of the fact that this is in its economic, strategic and security interests”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said on his Facebook page on Thursday following a telephone meeting with Montenegrin Foreign Minister Srđan Darmanović to discuss the state of the country’s European Union accession negotiations.

Mr. Szijjártó emphasised that “since we are not just talking about supporting the Western Balkan countries”, an experienced EU integration expert from the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade posted there is working to assist every Western Balkan government.

Srđan Darmanović, who according to Mr. Szijjártó is extremely satisfied with the Hungarian advisor working in Montenegro, asked that the expert’s appointment be extended for a further year. “Hungary will be fulfilling the request”, the Hungarian Minister added.

“Montenegro deserved to finally have another accession negotiation chapter opened with the EU”, Mr. Szijjártó declared, adding that he hopes the European Union will be enlarged with further members by 2025.

(MTI/Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister)