Orban: Bulgaria, Romania Schengen Entry Crucial for Balkans

EP President Jerzy Buzek (L) with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who speaks to the media after talks between EP leaders' delegation and Hungary's govt. EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen Agreement accession is critically important for the stability of the Balkans, according to Hungarian PM Viktor Orban who will be in charge of the rotating EU Presidency in the first half of 2011.

"The Balkans are a much more unstable region that they seem from the outside," he declared during a meeting with the heads of the groups in the European Parliament dedicated to the future Hungarian EU Presidency in January-June 2010, as cited by BGNES.

Orban said the completion of the EU accession negotiations of Croatia will be a priority for Hungary. He believes that for some reason the talks with Zagreb fail, this is affect the EU future of the other Western Balkan states.

In addition to the importance of Bulgaria and Romanai's Schengen entry, the Hungarian PM said the EU needs a global strategy for the integration of the Roma.

"2011 might turn out to be the hardest year for the EU since the collapse of communism because Europe with have to cope with a very strong global competition and can no longer afford to be a "slow and tired old gentleman." It must show to the world that it is the cradle of market economy and that it is capable of innovative solutions," Orban stated during the meeting in the Hungarian Parliament.

European Parliament Chair Jerzy Buzek stated that Hungary is ready to assume the EU Presidency, and that all EP groups have supported ts goals.

"Everybody wants a strong Europe, which can be a source of support for all, while a weak Europe is a burden for all," Buzek said pointing that the motto of the Hungarian Presidency will be "Strong Europe."

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