Foreign ministers of the Visegrad Four countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia) attend a meeting in Budapest, Hungary, on July 10, 2017. Everything must be done for the European integration of the Western Balkans for the safety of Europe, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said here Monday. He made the statement after a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Visegrad Four (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia) countries, joined by the representatives of Austria, Croatia and Slovenia. (Xinhua/Attila Volgyi)
BUDAPEST, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Everything must be done for the European integration of the Western Balkans for the safety of Europe, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said here Monday.
He made the statement after a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Visegrad Four (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia) countries, joined by the representatives of Austria, Croatia and Slovenia.
"There are critical tensions within the Western Balkans, and if we cannot show a credible integration scenario for the countries of this region, these tensions might become uncontainable," he said.
He also explained that if the migration road through the Western Balkans were to reopen again, then "extraordinary" migration pressure would appear at the southern borders of Hungary and on the Schengen area.
"The resolution of the migration crisis must start with the defense of the external borders, and it must be made very clear that only those can come to Europe, who is eligible to do so according to the applicable laws," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia Marija Pejcinovic Buric said the situation in Ukraine was "very complex", as the country has to deal with integrating the European frames and maintain its territorial integrity at the same time.
She added that Croatia had useful experiences in the same subject and her country would be happy to share them with Ukraine.
Regarding the Western Balkans, she argued it was very important countries do not stop their support halfway. "Peace must be kept in the region and the countries have to prepare themselves for the EU membership," she explained.
