Cooperation between Hungary and Serbia has significantly improved recently, which is clearly demonstrated by the record level of trade between the two countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic agreed on Thursday in Belgrade.
Minister Szijjártó began his two-day visit to Belgrade by meeting the Serbian President. The negotiations were held behind closed doors; an announcement by the President’s Office reported that infrastructure links between the two countries must be improved, to which the Budapest-Belgrade high-speed rail line and the opening of further border crossing points will significantly contribute.
President Nikolic reasserted that Serbia wishes to become a fully-fledged member of the European Union as soon as possible. Mr. Szijjártó announced that Budapest is backing Belgrade’s aspirations for European integration and Hungary is of the opinion that the EU must accelerate the enlargement process. Accordingly, Budapest attaches particular importance to good relations between the countries of the region.
The two politicians agreed that the Hungarian community in Serbia is an important link between the two countries. Péter Szijjártó also met with Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and will attend a session of the Hungarian-Serbian Economic Joint Committee and a meeting of the Hungarian-Serbian Business Forum. Mr. Szijjártó will meet with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic on Friday.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
