Cooperation between Hungary and Serbia has never been as balanced as it currently is and bilateral relations are better than ever, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in Budapest.
The Minister held a meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic yesterday morning. What makes this efficient cooperation even more valuable is that we have come a long way and good relations between countries are particularly valuable in a fast-changing world, Péter Szijjártó emphasised at the joint press conference held after the meeting.
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He pointed out that Serbia can contribute to Hungary’s efforts to enforce its geopolitical interests in the region, such as achieving peace, expanding trade ties and ensuring energy security.
Talking about bilateral economic relations, he said that trade turnover had increased significantly in recent years. The Hungarian Trading House and Eximbank will open a representative office in Belgrade to further boost the turnover, he said.
Moreover, a credit line of EUR 45 million will be provided to support the development of bilateral relations between Serbian and Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises.
As concerns the modernisation of the rail line between Budapest and Belgrade, he said that Hungary and Serbia will prepare feasibility studies by 15 April, following which the Chinese partner will submit a financing offer and construction can start this year.
Talking about energy security in Central Europe, the Minister emphasised that this issue is a joint European responsibility, and now that the South Stream project was called off, the EU has to support other projects.
He noted that Hungary supports Serbia’s aspirations for EU integration, since the stability of the region is important.
Ivica Dacic also stressed the importance of the excellent bilateral relations, and he expressed his opinion that the improvements achieved over the past two-three years were due to the determination of the two countries’ leaders. Some serious long-lasting conflicts have been finally resolved, which is a historic achievement, he pointed out. He added that a series of consultations and mutual trust between the countries’ leaders were key to these achievements.
The Serbian Minister declared that his country is interested in maintaining good relations with Hungary and is ready to further improve them in order to achieve concrete results based on jointly identified shared interests.
Ivica Dacic thanked Hungary for supporting Serbia in its European integration, for sharing its experiences and for the assistance of its experts.
He also commented on the gas supply of the two countries, saying that "both Hungarians and Serbians are entitled to have access to gas", and suggested that the EU should tell where to purchase the necessary gas.
Another subject touched upon during the meeting was the opening of border crossings between Hungary and Serbia. It is also in Serbia’s interest to have more crossings between the two countries, while providing sufficient border protection to ward off crime and illegal migration, he said, noting that the target country of illegal immigrants from Kosovo is neither Hungary nor Serbia, which is why the EU should take this issue more seriously.
Hungary will handle this issue in line with its economic and social interests and in compliance with Hungarian and EU regulations, but this problem must be addressed at EU level, Péter Szijjártó noted.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
