Szijjarto calls on Brussels to 'cease arrogance' over W Balkans

The European Union could suffer a setback similar to losing the United Kingdom unless it changes "its current arrogant attitude" regarding the EU integration of Western Balkan countries, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday. Szijjarto told the press during a break in a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels that Russia's war with Ukraine should make it ever clearer that the EU needs the Western Balkans more than the other way round. The EU integration of the Western Balkans is a vested interest for Hungary and a matter of national security, he said, adding that Hungary had always considered the southern part of central Europe as naturally belonging to the EU. "Societies in the Western Balkans today are likely to prefer European integration to other directions, but we don't know if this will remain the case tomorrow," Szijjarto said.