Hungary wants to speed up EU's enlargement process

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Hungary wants to accelerate the enlargement process of the European Union, said Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Wednesday.

Szijjarto's remarks came at a joint press conference with Bosnian Minister Elmedin Konakovic during a visit to the capital Sarajevo.

"Hungary wants to accelerate the EU's enlargement process, but you know very well that there are member states in the EU that only verbally support the enlargement of the union but are very timid when it comes to decision-making. Therefore, we call on member states to stop blocking the EU enlargement process," said Szijjarto.

According to Szijjarto, the EU's failure to accelerate enlargement was a big mistake which is obvious after the Russia-Ukraine War.

Konakovic thanked Hungary for its support for Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive candidate country status.

The European Council granted Bosnia-Herzegovina candidate status on Dec. 15, 2022 for EU membership.

Bosnia-Herzegovina's top priorities are joining the political and economic community of European states, along with joining NATO.

The Balkan country became a potential candidate for the bloc during the European Council summit in Thessaloniki in 2003.

It officially applied for EU membership in 2016.

Candidacy status is the first step in a long-term EU accession process.

After a country is granted candidate status, accession negotiations begin in stages, provided that conditions are met.

Accession negotiations can take years to begin.