Viktor Orbán’s Press Conference After His Talks with Vjekoslav Bevanda, Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Budapest, 8 November 2013

First of all, I have to say a few words in the spirit of gratitude. When Hungary held the EU Presidency, before we embarked on this formidable task, I paid a visit to Sarajevo and had talks there. I must say that we were received with the welcome and respect that Hungary deserves, and I had the opportunity to find out for myself that there is no philosophical, ideological or historical obstacle of any kind to the significant improvement of cooperation between the two countries, with special regard to the fields of politics and the economy. It is an honour for us that this time His Excellency the Prime Minister was kind enough to pay a visit to Budapest.

In order for you to understand the undertone of our present talks, I would like to tell you that if you take a look at the international press coverage of Bosnia – and the Hungarian press is probably no exception –, you may most frequently read about problems, troubles and disputes. The reason why I mention this is that the Hungarian Government’s approach is vastly different from this. Naturally, there are problems in Bosnia, as in all other countries; however, Hungary does not view Bosnia and Herzegovina in the context of problems but as a realm of opportunities. We believe that this region, and Bosnia and Herzegovina as a part of it, is not a problem but an opportunity equally for the European Union, Hungarian politics, the European economy and the Hungarian economy. A great opportunity that we have left unused in the last few years. The talks we held today sought to achieve that we may look upon cooperation as an opportunity and to identify the fields where we may most be able to help one another based on mutual advantages.

As regards political cooperation, I confirmed to the Prime Minister that Hungary will do all it humanly can to facilitate the accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union and to enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to obtain membership within the shortest possible time. In our vision, Bosnia and Herzegovina is within the European Union. As to how long it will take to reach this destination, and how winding the road is that leads there, is another matter; however, as we are committed and determined, we believe that that part of Europe should also form part of the European Union.  This is just as important for the EU as it is for the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It may be a minor detail but the fact that fifty Bosnian students may start their studies in higher education in Hungary as of 2014 on the basis of scholarship grants provided by the Hungarian State serves to faithfully reflect this common state of trust.

As regards economic affairs, I informed the Prime Minister that I addressed a highly clear instruction as well as a request to all Hungarian investors active abroad. In the case of state-owned companies, this is an instruction, while in the case of private businesses, it is a request which I have now had the opportunity to convey to businesses with an interest in the region several times via the President of the Chamber. Bosnia is a major opportunity; but we do not want another Croatian affair. We request Bosnia’s political leaders to designate the areas where they need us; areas where we may contribute to Bosnia’s development. And if these areas are designated, we should then establish long-term, trust-based cooperation schemes based on the logic of business. I therefore requested the Chamber and instructed the heads of Hungarian state-owned companies to only engage in transactions which are supported by the locals and are advantageous for the locals. If this is the case, there is, of course, room for profit, and there is room for dividends. But the most important goal is that wherever we may go, we should at all times be able to say that we were invited here, we provided assistance here, we sought mutual advantages and did our job well. I request the Prime Minister to look upon the activities of the fair number of large Hungarian corporations that are interested in extending their operations to Bosnia in this spirit.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I sincerely hope that if we are able to translate this spiritual approach into the language of day-to-day operations, Bosnian-Hungarian economic cooperation has a bright future. As part of the two countries’ economic cooperation – if the Prime Minister allows me –, I must also say a few words about transport because in order for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a part of the European Union, not only politically but also actually, and in order for Bosnian-Hungarian relations to function well, we must be able to reach one another. As a target, we agreed that there must be direct flights between Sarajevo and Budapest; although I am not sure what timescale this may require. It is a grave problem that there is at present no direct aerial communication between the two cities. As to how this situation came about – the termination of the Hungarian airline under pressure from the EU obviously played a major part in this – is now irrelevant. However, we must now attempt to revitalise relations. I was able to report to the Prime Minister that negotiations regarding the construction of a high-speed railway link between Budapest and Belgrade are well under way with Serbia. This will take us closer to Bosnia as well. I also informed the Prime Minister that the Hungarian Government decided on the construction of the last incomplete section in Hungary of the Budapest–Eszék–Sarajevo–Ploče motorway, a transport route that is crucial for the Bosnians as well as for the Hungarians; in other words that the M6 Hungarian motorway should extend to the state borders. We shall reach the southern state borders at two points. The Government adopted a decision on this and allocated funds for the construction works. These projects will therefore be implemented in the years ahead of us, and upon their completion, members of the Hungarian business community will be able to reach Sarajevo and Ploče by motorway, and conversely, members of the Bosnian business community will be able to reach us in Budapest by motorway. At the same time, transport by motorway will also open the way for Bosnia towards the regions of Western Europe.

On the whole, I wish to repeat words of gratitude to the Prime Minister. I wish to thank him for visiting us and offering us the opportunities which I have just had the chance to briefly outline to you.

(Prime Minister’s Office)