Ispis stranice Povratak na prethodnu stranicu PR OFFICE Smanjivanje slova Povećavanje slova

Sarajevo, December 13th, 2009

Press Release

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj Speaks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary Peter Balazs

On December 13th, 2009 in Sarajevo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj spoke with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary  Peter Balazs, who is in a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Minister Alkalaj informed Minister Balazs about the current internal political circumstances in our country and its foreign policy priorities, which include meeting Roadmap conditions for visa liberalization with the EU, gaining NATO MAP status whose final goal is full-fledged NATO membership, as well as submitting application for EU candidate status and then full-fledged EU membership.

Minister Alkalaj expressed his belief that B&H will justify the mandate as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2010-2011 term by a constructive contribution to making important decisions for prosperity of peace and stability in the world in close cooperation with the friendly countries. He also added that the “Butmir process” is an opportunity to reach such agreements in B&H which will provide our country with the necessary capacities to successfully conclude the process of joining EU and NATO.

During the meeting, Ministers concluded that bilateral relations between B&H and Hungary are excellent and without open issues and agreed that there is still room for their improvement, particularly in the fields of economy, tourism and cultural cooperation.

Minister Balazs underlined the willingness of his country to assist B&H in the process of reforms which are necessary for implementing foreign policy goals of B&H and offered assistance in the forms of sending Hungarian experts from different fields and closer cooperation which could be implemented through the Visegrad Group since Hungary will preside over it from July of the next year.

Mr. Balazs particularly underlined the interest in cooperation in terms of establishing and modernizing infrastructure, highways and railway, which would improve the flow of persons and capital in this part of Europe. He also expressed interest in joint investment in the gas economy and stated that big Hungarian company “MOL” is willing to start reconstructing and building gas stations in the Federation of B&H.

Minister Balazs expressed his belief that B&H will be given a visa-free regime with the EU countries in the near future and that, in that context, it will have Hungary’s support.