President of Serbia’s National Assembly Orlic held talks in Budapest

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán held talks with Vladimir Orlic, the president of Serbia’s National Assembly, in his office on Monday.

Orbán and Orlic were in agreement that Serbia’s European Union membership was a strategic issue that could not be delayed any further given the current dangers posed by war and the consequences of the crisis caused by sanctions.

The prime minister assured the Serbian speaker that Hungary spoke out in favour of the EU integration of the Western Balkans at every EU forum. Both officials urged an immediate ceasefire and peace talks regarding the Russia-Ukraine war.

Orbán and Orlic also discussed the importance of Hungary and Serbia’s cooperation in border protection with a view to curbing illegal migration.

They were in agreement on the need to continue cooperation aimed at further boosting energy security and welcomed the recent agreement to set up a Hungarian-Serbian gas trading joint venture.

House Speaker Kövér highlights Hungary, Serbia ties as ‘exemplary’

Relations between Serbia and Hungary have “undergone spectacular development recently and become an example to the whole of Europe,” Speaker of Parliament László Kövér said after talks with Vladimir Orlic, his Serbian counterpart, in Budapest on Monday.

Speaking at a joint press conference, he said the talks were aimed at “picking up the threads of cooperation” following the 2022 parliamentary elections in Serbia and Hungary.

Hungary is “one of Serbia’s strongest and most faithful supporters in its European accession,” Kövér said, adding that Hungary’s support was “not only rooted in friendship or loyalty but also accords with Hungary’s national interests”. Serbia deserves “fair treatment” in the accession process and “support based on its own merits and achievements made in the process,” Kövér said.

Hungary’s ethnic Serbs and Serbia’s Hungarian community are a strong link between the two countries, Kövér said.

Concerning economic ties, Kövér noted bilateral trade turnover more than doubled during the past two years. Energy cooperation is “vital” for both countries, he added.

Orlic highlighted “friendship based on trust and cooperation” between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, adding that friendship had “elevated ties between the two countries to historical heights”.

Orlic said the refurbished Budapest-Belgrade railway line, which he expected to be open in 2-3 years, would “open up a new era in European transport and for Serbia in particular”. He expressed gratitude to Hungary for providing gas storage for Serbia, as well as for its support in Serbia’s EU accession.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was paying a working visit to Serbia on Saturday and will hold talks with President Alexandar Vucic in Belgrade, details and photo HERE.

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