Hungary continues to support Serbia’s EU integration, says FM in Belgrade

Hungary continues to see support for Serbia’s EU integration as a priority, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told MTI by phone from Belgrade/Nándorfehérvár on Friday.

Szijjártó held talks with President Aleksandar Vucic, Energy Minister Aleksandar Antic and Minister for EU Integration Jadranka Joksimovic.

The European Commission set 2025 as Serbia‘s accession date, which Hungary considers too distant,

Szijjártó said. Hungary will suggest to Austria, which holds the bloc’s rotating presidency, that all the 21 remaining chapters should be opened for negotiations in December, he said.

Both Hungary and Serbia consider one another’s ethnic minorities as assets, Szijjártó said, adding that Serbia’s minority policy can serve as an example to other nations in the region eyeing EU membership.

Hungary continues with its economic development programme in Vojvodina, Szijjártó said.

The country spent a total of 22 billion forints (EUR 68.2m) to support 23 large investments and nearly 6,500 SMEs run by Vojvodina Hungarians, he said.

The parties also discussed opening new border crossings to ease congestions at the common border. Next is the crossing between Kubekhaza and Rabe, which should be finished by end 2019, he said.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI