Szijjártó in Banja Luka: We support the European integration of the Western Balkans

(Patria) - Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó is visiting Banja Luka today, and after being awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Banja Luka, he arrived at the RS Palace where he met with Milorad Dodik, acting president of Republika Srpska Ana Trišić Babić, BiH Presidency member Željka Cvijanović, Minister of Internal Affairs Željko Budimir, Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Siniša Karan.

Yesterday, Dodik visited Hungary where he met with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

In his address, Szijjártó stated that Hungary will continue with the agricultural support program for Republika Srpska, and another support package can be expected soon.

"We have provided ten billion forints for 1,834 small and medium-sized enterprises in RS. Fourteen billion forints is the value of agricultural equipment that these people have acquired," said Szijjártó.

Hungary will also offer scholarships to students who wish to continue their education in that country.

He also commented on the importance of stability in the Western Balkans.

"For Hungary, stability and peace in the Western Balkans are of paramount importance in terms of national security. There is a war going on in our eastern neighbor, so destabilization in the south could have tragic consequences for Hungary's national security. Hungary pursues a responsible good neighborly policy and we are doing everything in our interest to preserve stability and peace in the Western Balkans, and that is why we support the European integration of the Western Balkans, the economic development of the region, and the development of the educational and scientific system - says Szijjártó.