Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on April 4 discussed bilateral cooperation in a number of areas with top officials of Bosnia-Herzegovina as Hungary prepares to take its turn as president of the European Union later this year.
Orban met with Borjana Kristo, the chairwoman of Bosnia's Council of Ministers, and with members of Bosnia’s presidency during a visit to Sarajevo. After the meeting with Kristo, the Council of Ministers said both parties agreed that there is a need to increase trade between the two countries.
The presidency said its members and Orban discussed bilateral cooperation in education, culture, agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and other areas. The presidency added that the European Union's decision to open accession negotiations with Bosnia is an incentive for the country to continue the reform process.
EU leaders agreed on March 21 to open talks with Bosnia on joining the bloc, but said "hard work" lies ahead for the country to move forward on its membership application. Hungary is scheduled to take the rotating presidency of the EU on July 1.
"Expectations have been expressed that there will be progress in the process of integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the EU during the Hungarian presidency of the Union in the second half of 2024, and that the first intergovernmental conference will be held as soon as possible," a press release from the presidency said.
Orban arrived later in Banja Luka, where he was met by Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russian president of Republika Srpska. The Hungarian populist leader is one of Dodik’s key allies and one of the few EU and NATO politicians willing to meet with him.
Dodik, who has been sanctioned by the United States and Britain over his efforts to undermine the Dayton agreement, previously stated that Orban would receive an Order of the Republika Srpska award during his visit.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto arrived in Banja Luka on April 3 ahead of Orban and was welcomed by representatives of Republika Srpska.
Hungary has promised 100 million euros in aid to Republika Srpska. A portion of the aid has been spent to purchase agricultural machinery from Hungarian companies in a deal agreed on in December 2021 during a private trip Orban made that included a visit to Dodik's estate near Banja Luka.
Republika Srpska also borrowed a total of 140 million euros from the Export-Import Bank of Hungary on two occasions to bridge the entity's budget deficit and partly refinance debts.