As we wrote previously, the Prime Minister held negotiations in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday and Friday. On 4 April, Viktor Orban spoke to leaders of the Government Assembly in Sarajevo about bilateral Hungarian-Bosnian relations and current European affairs. On Friday, he held talks with Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik in Banja Luka, where the business forum was also opened.
In his speech at the opening of the forum, Viktor Orban stated that politics will be able to stabilize this region, and then there will be a predictable economic environment.
He pointed out that the economic outlook in Western Europe has very low growth potential, and that Germany is suffering from a recession. With this year's growth of 2.5%, Hungary is considered the “king”.
The Prime Minister stated that the dynamics of the European economy are currently present in the Balkans, because “people here want to work and can work”, there is a high industrial and agricultural culture, and countries are striving for cooperation.
Viktor Orbán said he believes in this region because 14 years ago the Hungarian economy was also in a bad situation, and its size was 70 percent smaller than it is today. “This dynamism and this development can be achieved here as well,” he stressed.
“It is important that local people accept us and feel that we are bringing opportunities to areas that need investment and development
– stressed the Prime Minister, adding that he also encourages Hungarian companies to form joint ventures.
“It's a two-way street,” Viktor Orban said, noting that Hungary welcomes Serbs as employees and businessmen.
Viktor Orbán also received an award
In Banja Luka, the Prime Minister on Friday received the Order of Merit of Republika Srpska from Milorad Dodik, the president of the Serb-majority Bosnian entity.
In his honor, Milorad Dodik emphasized that the award given on the occasion of Republika Srpska Day is justified by the contribution made by Viktor Orbán in the field of bilateral relations. He highlighted the friendship between the two parties, thanked them for their continued support, and said he was sure that together they could achieve better results.
Cover photo: MTI/Prime Minister's Press Office/Zoltan Fischer
Business talks '24
Business conference
