High turnout of ethnic Hungarians at Serbia election crucial, says the head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee

Belgrade, April 1 (MTI) – The turnout of ethnic Hungarians at the April 24 elections in Serbia will have a decisive impact on the outcome of the vote, especially in Vojvodina’s regional (Vajdaság) parliament where a reshuffle is expected, Zsolt Németh. the head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said on Friday.

What’s also at stake for ethnic Hungarians is whether an economic development programme supported by Hungary can continue, he said. The programme started this year and nearly 2,500 applications were submitted in the first round for the 50 billion forints support available. It is seen by many as a “full compensation for December 5, 2004” when people in Hungary voted against granting fast-track citizenship to ethnic Hungarians beyond the borders, Németh told MTI over the phone during a two-day tour of the region.

Németh said the local council elections, the Vojvodina provincial elections and the Serbian parliamentary elections are also important for ensuring the continuity of Hungarian-Serbia relations.

“In recent years, thanks to the launch and unfolding of a historic reconciliation process, cooperation in all areas of economy, politics and culture developed between Hungary and Serbia,” he said. Cooperation stands in the interest of both countries and “perhaps above all of Vojvodina Hungarians”, he added.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters