Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić visited Budapest for the second Hungarian-Serbian Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, where he held talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The discussions focused on energy, infrastructure, security, and EU integration. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó highlighted critical bilateral initiatives, emphasizing their mutual benefits.
Viktor Orbán underscored Serbia’s vital role in Hungary’s security, especially as energy supplies increasingly transit through Serbia due to the Russian-Ukrainian war.
There is no country more important for Hungary, for Hungarian security today, than Serbia,” he declared.
Hungary also reaffirmed its commitment to peace and neutrality, with Mr. Orbán stressing, “We have stayed out of [the war]; it is not our war. We are on the side of peace and will remain so.”
The Hungarian Prime Minister reiterated the country’s robust support for Serbia’s EU accession, stating that Europe’s growth depends on new members like Serbia. “It is not Serbia that needs the EU but the EU that needs Serbia,” he said.
He promised Hungary’s continued efforts to facilitate Serbia’s integration.
Key energy and infrastructure investments were also announced, including a new oil pipeline linking Százhalombatta (Central Hungary) to Serbia, doubling electricity transmission capacity by 2028, and launching a Hungarian-Serbian-Slovenian power exchange by year-end. Foreign Minister Szijjártó noted,
this will ensure more secure and competitive energy supply for the region.”
The modernization of the Röszke-Horgos border crossing aims to eliminate long queues and improve trade flows. “We need to build Europe’s largest, most modern motorway crossing,” the politician stated, announcing upcoming talks in China.
Prime Minister Orbán highlighted adapting to a changing geopolitical landscape, emphasizing cooperation among “sovereign, independent, proud nations.” Bilateral ties also include completing the Budapest-Belgrade railway by 2026, enabling 160 km/h travel and boosting trade connections.
The visit marked another milestone in Hungarian-Serbian relations, with both sides committed to fostering shared growth and security in a complex global environment.
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Via MTI; Featured Image: MTI / Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda / Fischer Zoltán
