Speaking from Tirana on Wednesday in a telephone interview with Hungarian press agency MTI, Peter Szijjártó said that Hungary is aiming to create a meaningful economic presence for itself in Albania, and to assist the Western Balkan country in its European integration.
The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade stressed that the significance of the Western Balkans has increased markedly in recent times as a result of world political and economic changes. Europe and its community of values have been presented with security challenges coming from the east and the south-east, and in this situation Central Europe must seek new opportunities for the guarantee of its energy security. Gas from Azerbaijan and Russia needs to be supplied to Central Europe via South Eastern Europe. The Minister stressed that routes leading through the Western Balkans are necessary for this to happen.
He added that Hungary neighbours the Western Balkans, and if anyone knows what a difference is made by stability – or lack of it – in that region, it is the Hungarians. Therefore the Western Balkans area is of particular importance to Hungary and the whole of Central Europe. The stability of the Western Balkans can be ensured in the long term by keeping open the possibility of its European integration.
Mr. Szijjártó said that, as always, Hungary has been quick to support Albania's integration process. In order to assist the EU accession process, he reached an agreement with his Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati for Hungarian specialists to be delegated to work with the government in Tirana.
Peter Szijjártó said that Hungary aims to create a meaningful economic presence for itself in Albania, with a desire for closer cooperation in four areas: the interconnection of the electrical network in Macedonia and Albania, with Hungarian participation; joint assistance for Hungarian companies to enter the Albanian market in the field of water energy and water management; the possibility of Hungarian participation in the development of the Albanian railway system; and cooperation in the area of agriculture. The Minister said that there was agreement on closer cooperation and on increased trade in goods.
Mr. Szijjártó also mentioned that Hungary has offered the chance of twenty scholarships at Hungarian universities for Albanian students. He also pointed out that Hungary and Albania are committed participants in the international coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and the two countries have reaffirmed their cooperation in this field. During the day Mr. Szijjártó met Minister of Economic Development Arben Ahmetaj and Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Ilir Meta; he also officially inaugurated the new building of the Embassy of Hungary in Tirana.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
