SZIJJARTO: WE RESPECT WILL OF THE PEOPLE EXPRESSED IN ELECTIONS AND SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT OF SRPSKA

BUDAPEST, SEPTEMBER 4 /SRNA/ – Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjarto stated that Hungary respects the will of the people who elected their leaders through democratic elections and supports the elected leaders, as is the case with the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik.

Szijjarto emphasized that Hungary believes sanctions must not be the solution or the conduct applied in international politics. "Nevertheless, that is a practice which today is being applied to certain leaders. We respect the will of the people who elected their leaders through democratic elections, and we support the elected leaders, and this is the situation in the case of President Dodik," Szijjarto said. He stressed that it was an honor that the President of Republika Srpska visited Budapest today, but pointed out that they met in a complicated situation because the European continent is, as he said, affected by a security conflict. Szijjarto underlined that the last thing Europe needs is a security problem, adding that peace, security, and stability are priority issues for Hungary. "We are pursuing a responsible neighborhood policy and are trying to contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability, and that is why we support the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU," Szijjarto said at a joint press conference in Budapest with President Dodik. He added that some politicians are contributing to the prolongation of the war in Ukraine and are following an incorrect approach toward the Western Balkans.