Drljević in Budapest: Investment in region is investment in EU's future

"Investing in the stability and prosperity of the region is actually an investment in the security and the future of the European Union, i.e. the whole Europe. Close cooperation is a common interest, because only in this way we can provide citizens with economic and social development and security," Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Drljević said in Budapest.

The Chief Negotiator participated in the Third Western Balkans Conference "Integration through Business", organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The region, Drljević said, does not want to remain on the margins of Europe, continuously proving that as a partner it can give a significant contribution to the stability and security of the continent through a joint struggle with the challenges of modern times, such as migrant pressures and security threats.

Speaking at the panel "Connecting the EU and the Western Balkans - the Berlin Process and beyond", the Chief Negotiator pointed out that Montenegro continues to take steps to develop national transport and energy infrastructure and promote closer economic cooperation at the regional level, noting that well-developed and interconnected infrastructure is the driver of economic growth and opportunities for new jobs by attracting foreign investment.

The conference was opened by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó, who said that the EU's strategic interest was to integrate the Western Balkans, stressing that this is important because of economic and security aspects. In this regard, he expressed the expectation that the enlargement policy will remain high on the EU agenda after the elections for the European Parliament and the formation of a new European Commission.

"Hungary is committed to speeding up the enlargement process. Our interest is stronger EU, and this is possible only through the integration of the Western Balkan countries," Minister Szijjártó said.

He added that the integration of the Western Balkan countries can contribute to the EU's competitiveness and said that Hungary will continue to invest in the region, which is Hungary's significant trade partner.

The conference was attended by decision-makers, experts and representatives of the business community, who exchanged views on the business environment and development concepts of the Western Balkans, as well as the ways in which the European Union, Germany and Hungary can contribute to the economic development of the Region.

It was pointed out that economic development plays an important role in the EU accession process, and that, despite its achievements, a faster and stronger development of the region is needed in order to improve living standards in the Western Balkans. In this context, the support of Hungary and Germany to the economic development of the region was expressed.