Tirana, September 9, 2024 - A lecture on the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the European Union Council, with a special emphasis on EU enlargement, including the Western Balkans and Albania, was held at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs by Mr. Márton Ugrósdy, Deputy State Secretary in the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office and Political Director.

The senior Hungarian official addressed regional security issues, Hungary's foreign policy toward the Western Balkans, and the prospects for connectivity and cooperation in a broader context. According to Mr. Ugrósdy, Hungary supports any state in the region seeking to join the EU or NATO as a moral obligation, referencing the 25 years of history in the former Yugoslav space.

Enlargement is a key priority of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council for two main reasons:

1- Ensuring security and stability, not only within the EU but also beyond.

2- Economic development and strengthening, as addressing the social conditions in each country will reduce or even eliminate social problems such as migration.

The Hungarian State Secretary also discussed relations with neighboring countries in the context of European integration and economic cooperation.

This event marks the materialization of cooperation between the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, institutionalized through a Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic Training Cooperation, signed, in Budapest on March 12, 2024.