20.01.2023.
Meeting between ministers Vučević and Szalay-Bobrovniczky
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević met with Hungary's Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky at Topčider’s Guard Club, today.
After inspecting the ceremonial honour guard during the arrival ceremony, the two ministers had a tête-à-tête, followed by a meeting between the two delegations.In his address following the meetings, Minister Vučević thanked the Hungarian delegation for the visit to the Republic of Serbia and for the open, friendly conversation, which was "another confirmation of the best Serbia-Hungary relations in history".
- It is our common task to preserve that in the coming period, and to try to improve it in the two ministries’ areas of competence. We have also talked about military to military, military-economic, military-technological, and military-scientific cooperation, about all aspects that the ministries of defence deal with. I believe that a new chapter in defence cooperation between Hungary and Serbia is ahead of us, Minister Vučević said.
According to him, the relations between the two countries are at a historic high "owing primarily to phenomenal relations between the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, and the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić." He said that they had also discussed the situation in Ukraine, the geopolitical situation in Europe and the world, as well as the events in the region.- We have conveyed to the Hungarian delegation and once again underlined Serbia’s position regarding the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. We have shared our concerns regarding the unilateral actions by the Pristina administration, and we have jointly analyzed the situation in the region, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other neighbouring countries. I am sure that Hungary and Serbia share an interest in preserving peace and stability in the Western Balkans, said the Serbian Minister of Defence and added that Serbia was grateful to the Hungarian Armed Forces for their engagement in Kosovo and Metohija, i.e. "for a correct attitude and professional approach to carrying out their tasks as part of their mission as members of KFOR, but also for being fair and humane towards the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija".
- I have conveyed to the Hungarian Defence Minister our hope that Hungary, and I have no doubt about it, will responsibly command European Union Force in operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is in everyone's interest that there be absolute peace and stability in that neighbouring country of ours. Serbia's policy is crystal clear now, i.e. our path to the EU goes through Budapest. Hungary is, I would say Serbia's most faithful friend and ally in its EU integration process. Budapest has never hidden it, it has always dared to represent Serbian interests in the best possible way within all EU institutions, and we recognize Hungary's sincere desire for Serbia to become an EU member. Naturally, they want to have a safe and secure southern neighbour, stressed Minister Vučević.According to him, today they also discussed joint infrastructure projects, a high-speed railway that will connect the two capitals, the continuation of investments by Hungarian companies, because "Serbia is a good place for foreign investments".
- I look forward to continued cooperation between our two countries, nations, governments and ministries. I am sure that the Ministry of Defence of Hungary will be one of Serbia’s best partners in the coming period and that together we will do a lot for the benefit of our nations and our countries, preserving peace and stability in the region and strengthening our good relationship, in order to make it even better and more fruitful for Hungary and Serbia, Minister Vučević concluded.The Minister of Defence of Hungary expressed his gratitude for the invitation, noting that he had come as a friend to discuss cooperation between the governments of the two countries.
- This is my first visit to Belgrade in an official capacity and I have come to discuss relations between the two governments and ministries. During the conversation, we agreed that, unfortunately, both countries are under great pressure in these challenging times, from two sides. For us, the Western Balkans is of strategic importance and we have paid great attention to this region throughout the centuries and throughout history, even now, and we consider Serbia a key actor in this region, stressed Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky.
According to him, from a political point of view, Hungary supports Serbia joining the European Union, because it would contribute to greater stability in the region and serve Serbia's interests.
- From a military point of view, we are also present in this region by providing support, i.e. contributing to the largest NATO mission on the ground - KFOR, the Hungarian Defence Minister pointed out.
He said that they had also discussed the issue that caused great concern for both countries, namely the war in our eastern neighbourhood.- As small and medium-sized countries that suffer the most in situations like this, we are interested in starting peace negotiations as soon as possible so that this war would end. However, we have agreed that in this kind of atmosphere we must continue to cooperate in the time to come, because that time will cause concern for us on different levels both in terms of security and economy, stressed Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky.
He said that they had discussed cooperation in the field of defence industry, but also military cooperation as a whole, which was at an extremely high level.
- We will continue that cooperation in various forms and at all levels, and as for cooperation in the field of defence industry, it is very important for countries of our size to continue building their industrial capacities in order to help ensure security in their own countries, said the Hungarian Defence Minister.
At the end of his address, he expressed hope that cooperation at all levels between the two countries, particularly defence cooperation, would continue, in order to improve stability, especially in the area of migration, and that "an emphasis should be placed on that in the coming period".
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