Skopje, 4 March 2025 (MIA) - North Macedonia can count on Hungary’s support on its Euro-integration path. North Macedonia’s EU accession process has lasted way too long, and it is not North Macedonia that is responsible for this, but the member states of the European Union, said Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban at a joint press conference Tuesday with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, according to MIA’s reporter in Budapest.

“It is shameful that this process is progressing so slowly. North Macedonia isn’t responsible for this, but we, the member states of the European Union, are. That is why we support North Macedonia’s accession. The European Union must improve its competitiveness, and I see no other way to boost competitiveness than through enlargement. Every enlargement of the European Union so far has only brought good things,” Orban said.

The Hungarian PM underscored the growing trade exchange between the two countries, stating that it has increased sevenfold since 2010.

“North Macedonia and Hungary, alongside Serbia, belong to the same economic region. We believe this area can be a joint economic zone where cooperation can create enormous economic potential. The issue is that we are in the European Union, while these two countries are outside of it. What can we do? We can establish the most intensive bilateral relations,” Orban said, adding that the governments of the two countries are working on signing an economic agreement.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Orban said Hungary is of the position the war must end and welcomed negotiations between the United States and Russia.

“We have been living in the shadow of war for three years. We welcome the negotiations between the US and Russia, and we are interested in a successful outcome. We oppose those EU countries, who are our friends and allies, but who have decided that the war in Ukraine must continue. The continuation of the war is bad, wrong and a mistake. We will discuss this in Brussels on Thursday,” Orban said.

The two prime ministers also discussed migration, with the Hungarian Prime Minister welcoming North Macedonia’s efforts to “protect the border”.

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