Hungarian-Serbian cooperation is better than ever, and Hungary supports Serbia’s accession to the European Union within the shortest possible time, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said at the Hungarian-Serbian business forum.

He stated: if relations between the two countries had not been at their historical peak, they would not have been able to survive the shock and tensions caused by the migration crisis. The stringent measures implemented at the Hungarian-Serbian border did not compromise bilateral relations, he underlined.

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Mr Szijjártó referred to migration as the gravest European challenge of all time. The Minister said he was pleased to acknowledge that the countries of the Western Balkans are returning to the observance of international treaties and common rules, and have decided to protect themselves and Europe against the migration crisis which conveys major security and economic risks.

As a neighbour of the Western Balkans, peace and stability in the region is important for Hungary, and the best and most effective way leading to peace and stability is European integration, he said.

He added: Hungary will strongly support the acceleration of the EU integration process for the countries of the Western Balkans also in the future. It is in the best interests of Hungary and the whole of the EU that Serbia should become a member of the EU as soon as possible.

In his words, relations between the two countries have never been better, and to achieve this, the current Serbian Government has made a great many personal efforts. The Hungarian Government is grateful to the Serbian Prime Minister and the Serbian Government, and wishes them the best of luck and victory in the upcoming elections. Hungarian-Serbian friendship is a reliable cornerstone of Hungarian foreign policy, he stressed.

Trade between the two countries amounted to EUR 1.8 billion last year, which represents a 4 per cent increase. Serbia is Hungary’s 22nd most important trade partner, and is the most important partner in the Western Balkans region. Trade between the two countries has increased by 60 per cent in the last five years. Mr Szijjártó also mentioned that Hungarian investments in Serbia amount to some EUR 250 million, the plant of Tisza Automotive Kft. was inaugurated in Zenta last autumn, and Masterplast announced investments worth another 10 million in its factory in Szabadka. These figures clearly indicate the trust of Hungarian capital, and the fact that Serbia is a reliable place in economic and trade relations, he said.

He took the view that further progress can be made in Hungarian-Serbian economic relations primarily in cooperation between small and medium-sized businesses, and in the fields of infrastructure and energy projects, agriculture, water management, the healthcare industry and the pharmaceutical industry.

The Minister also pointed out that the Röszke border crossing station was opened last summer, and further border crossing stations will be opened at Bácsszentgyörgy and Kübekháza within the next year. There is an agreement on the refurbishment of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, as part of which there are ongoing negotiations with the Chinese Government regarding Chinese financing, he said.

A credit line worth EUR 61.5 million has been made available at Eximbank to serve the development of export relations between Hungarian and Serbian businesses, and the bank has opened an office in Belgrade. Mr Szijjártó said: with the approval of the Serbian Government, the largest economic development programme of all time has been launched in Vojvodina from Hungarian government funding. The first calls for proposals have already been published; these serve the development of agriculture, tourism and suppliers. The existing political cooperation creates firm foundations for the development of business relations, Mr Szijjártó underlined.

Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Snezana Bogosavljevic-Boskovic described cooperation, inter alia, in the fields of the economy and research as successful. Bilateral relations between the two countries are based on firm foundations, and there is agreement in every area, she stressed, and said thanks to the Hungarian Government for supporting Serbia’s European integration. Hungary is Serbia’s 7th most important trade partner, and is ranked 4th among EU countries, she said.

Zsanett Ducsai-Oláh, Chief Executive of Magyar Nemzeti Kereskedőház Zrt. said: they opened three offices in Serbia, in Belgrade, Újvidék and Szabadka, where they are helping businesses locally. All the conditions are available for taking Serbian-Hungarian economic relations to a higher level. More than 400 Serbian-Hungarian joint ventures operate in Serbia.

Among the results, she highlighted: Hungarian businesses will be able to take part in the Belgrade smart city project, and the declaration of intent to this effect will be signed within the next few days. Among the most important areas of cooperation, she mentioned agriculture, the food industry, transport, the pharmaceutical industry and the automotive industry. Hungary is able to open a gate for Serbia towards EU markets, she said.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)