“The process of ratification in Hungary will be fast, because our leading party is supportive to it and we have a strong majority, so it will go according to plan. I can not say how fast will the others be, but Hungary would like to be the first one to ratify the agreement”, Szijjártó said.
He said that Montenegro has done a great job in negotiations with EU, and what is left to underline is rule of law, reforms done within Chapters 23 i 24. Commenting on the situation in the region, Szijjártó said that Hungary and Montenegro are neighbors in West Balkan, and that we all remember wars in this area well.
“The best way to make the region stable are European integrations. It is in our common interest for Montenegro to become a member as soon as possible”, he said.
Szijjártó pointed out Hungary’s strong support for the integration.
“Bilateral relationship between Hungary and Montenegro is excellent. Our political and economical relations are active, we often have important meetings, and the cooperation is becoming better and more efficient. Clear demonstration of our great relationship is Declaration on Strengthened Partnership signed between Hungary and Montenegro on June 15th 2012. This agreement defined new roads of our cooperation, and one of them is Hungary’s support to Montenegro in the road to NATO and EU. I think Montenegro has achieved impressive results in these areas during the last few years. Budapest gave strong support to Podgorica. Hungarian embassy in Podgorica was NATO contact embassy in the very important period prior to the invitation“, Szijjártó said.
Among EU members, Hungary has been the second biggest investor in Montenegro during the last decade.
“Based on statistical data, with investments surpassing 500 million EUR, Hungary is the biggest investor in Montenegro among EU countries during the last decade. Aside from the investments, the goal of Hungarian Government is to have a good relations in trade. This is why, on October 1st 2014, we opened an office of National Trade House of Hungary in Podgorica. Some of the biggest Hungarian companies (OTP Bank, Hungarian Telekom or Hunguest Hotels) have positive experience about investing in Montenegro, because our goal is to see new Hungarian companies in Montenegro as well”, Szijjártó said.
NATO and EU integration can also serve as a strong push towards further Hungarian investments.
“Our experience clearly demonstrates that the period of joining NATO and EU saw foreign investments rise in Hungary”, Szijjártó concluded.
