Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Friday sharply criticised the European Union’s approach to enlargement, warning that prioritising Ukraine’s accession over that of the Western Balkans undermines both the bloc’s credibility and security.
Speaking during an official visit to Skopje, where he signed a strategic cooperation agreement with his Macedonian counterpart Timcho Mucunski, Szijjártó said it was “unacceptable” that Brussels was accelerating Ukraine’s EU bid while countries in the Western Balkans continue to face delays.
“There is no reasonable person on Earth who would believe that Ukraine is in a better condition than any of the countries in the Western Balkans,” Szijjártó told reporters. He argued that Ukraine’s accession could “cause damage and difficulties” to the EU, whereas the inclusion of Western Balkan states would bring “significant economic and security benefits.”
Hungary, which is set to assume the rotating EU presidency in the second half of 2024, has repeatedly voiced frustration over the slow progress of enlargement in the region. Szijjártó reaffirmed Budapest’s full support for North Macedonia’s EU path and wider regional integration.
During the visit, Macedonia and Hungary also signed a memorandum on educational cooperation that will offer scholarships for Macedonian students to study in Hungarian universities. The agreement was signed in the presence of North Macedonia’s Education Minister Vesna Janevska.
Macedonian Foreign Minister Mucunski described the strategic partnership agreement as a step forward in “deepening the long-standing political and economic ties” between the two countries, noting consistent growth in bilateral trade and alignment on key regional issues, including NATO cooperation.