The head of Hungarian diplomacy, Peter Szijjarto, arrived in Banja Luka and talked with the political leadership of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska (RS) entity, headed by the president of the RS, Milorad Dodik.

“We believe that it is in the interest of the EU and the Western Balkans to speed up the integration process in this region. We know that it is necessary for the EU to speak respectfully with the representatives of the Western Balkans,” Szijjarto said.

He pointed out that it is necessary to respect the decisions of countries, as well as the results of the elections in the countries of the Western Balkans.

“That's why we are against placing any politician from the region under ban or on the list of sanctions. We will also be against the reduction of development funds because this harms people,” he said.

He also said that Hungary and the BiH entity Republika Srpska do not have a single outstanding issue and that some new projects will be defined in the next month.

Milorad Dodik stated that they have developed a very successful program in the energy and agriculture fields.

He emphasized that he respects Hungary's political views on the region.

“The Minister said we should be talked to, not talked about. The Minister is a natural partner for the development of EU relations with the Balkans. We want the RS to be noticed on the European road and the coordination mechanism within BiH to be respected including of course the Constitution. We want all 14 priorities to be solved at the same time,” said Dodik.

The RS President repeated to Szijjarto that he does not support Bosnia’s NATO membership. He announced the visit of Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary, to Banja Luka on March 7, and the signing of a contract on cooperation and investments.

He also announced meetings with Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey.

Bosnia’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic will meet Friday in Sarajevo with the Hungarian Foreign Ministry as well.