Minister Szijjrt Urges EU Reform Amid Security and Competitiveness Concerns [Video]

The European Union is currently in worse shape than it was five years ago, with its security and competitiveness considerably deteriorating, emphasized Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó at an event organized by the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London.

Setting three priorities for the six-month period of the forthcoming EU presidency, Mr. Szijjártó first emphasized the need to promote the enlargement of the Western Balkans.

He highlighted the significant difference between peace and unrest in the region, stressing the urgency to advance the process.

The prolonged wait for the five candidate countries, averaging 14 years and 11 months, severely undermines the credibility of the enlargement policy. The second priority, he stated, was to combat illegal migration, citing Hungary’s prevention of over 200,000 illegal border crossings last year.

The Minister emphasized the importance of adhering to international law, stating that individuals fleeing war or persecution should seek …