Sulyok: Hungary To Do Everything for Serbia to Join the EU as Soon as Possible

Hungarian President Tamas Suylok, Belgrade, Oct. 28 2024 (BETAPHOTO/MILAN ILIC)

Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok said during an Oct. 28 visit to Belgrade that his country would do everything in its power for Serbia to join the European Union (EU) as soon as possible, adding that in his eyes Serbia was not only a strategic partner, but also as a true friend.

"Hungary will do everything to support Serbia’s rapid accession to the European Union, because we believe that without European integration in the Balkans, long-term stability cannot be achieved, and we want to contribute to that process," Sulyok said at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, after the talks at the Palace of Serbia.

President Sulyok also said that it’s time for the EU to finally fulfill the promise it made to the Western Balkans "some twenty years ago."

The Hungarian president underlined that "there is no energy security in Hungary without Serbia, like there’s no energy security in Serbia without Hungary." President Sulyok was also thankful for Serbia’s efforts to complete the Belgrade-Budapest railway next year, promising to do everything to expedite border crossing procedures and open new border crossings.

In a comment on the the Hungarian minority in Serbia, Sulyok thanked the Serbian president and the Serbian people for ensuring that "the Hungarian community in Serbia has a stable position and lives in orderly conditions."

The Hungarian president arrived last night for a two-day visit to Serbia, and was welcomed by the leader of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, Balint Pastor. They discussed the status of the Hungarian community, its achievements, and challenges over a working dinner.