The President of Hungary visited Serbia to re-affirm the positive international partnership
On the 28th of October, the President of Hungary, Tamás Sulyok, visited Serbia to meet the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and highlight and strengthen the friendly and neighbourly bilateral relations between the two countries.
The meeting at the Palace of Serbia
The visit began with a meeting between the President of Serbia and the President of Hungary in the Palace of Serbia. In his address after the meeting with Sulyok, President Vučić said that the Union of Vojvodina Hungarians (VMSZ) represents for Serbia a bridge of friendship and brotherhood with Hungary and that the policy of respect, mutual respect, friendly and fraternal relations with that country will be continued.
The President of Serbia highlighted the role of VMSZ and its leader, Bálint Pásztor, and thanked him for being present today. He stated that he discussed topics such as the position of Serbs living in Hungary, the upcoming elections in the USA, the situation in Ukraine, and many other issues with the Hungarian president. President Vučić highlighted that Hungary is Serbia’s fourth-largest trade partner, with significant joint projects, such as the Pannonian electricity transmission corridor, expected to be completed by the end of 2028. He emphasised that citizens will significantly benefit from these collaborations.
Vučić noted that trade between the countries has grown from 768 million euros 12 years ago to 3.1 billion euros last year. He also underscored the importance of the high-speed railway between Novi Sad and Budapest and expressed hope for a future agreement on a high-speed rail network connecting Hungary, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece.
Vučić noted that trade between the countries has grown from 768 million euros 12 years ago to 3.1 billion euros last year
Additionally, Vučić mentioned ongoing efforts to develop high-speed railways to Bratislava and from Budapest to Warsaw and Krakow. He also announced the imminent realisation of the oil pipeline project between Novi Sad and Aldja, with a feasibility study expected to be completed by year’s end.
He also pointed out that Serbia wants a joint electricity exchange with Hungary and Slovenia, adding that we are developing the Pannonian electricity transmission corridor with Hungary, which should be completed by the end of 2028.
The President of Hungary expressed his gratitude to the President of Serbia and the Serbian people for the stable position and orderly circumstances of the Hungarian people in Serbia.
He thanked Vučić for advocating for all initiatives that support friendly cooperation and contribute to the survival of the Hungarian minority in Serbia. He emphasised that it is precisely because of this that it is a great honour for him that he has the opportunity to visit Čurug together with President Vučić and to pay respect to the innocent victims from both sides jointly.
The President of Hungary also stated that Hungary will do everything to ensure that Serbia becomes a full member of the European Union as soon as possible because, as he pointed out, he believes that long-term stability cannot be achieved in the Balkans without European integration.
Visiting Čurug
After the meetings, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok laid wreaths at the Reconciliation Monument in Čurug, as well as at the “Topalov magazine” Raid Victims Museum. After that, the two presidents attended the blessing of the restored Catholic Church of Our Lady of Snows in Žabalj.
Pastor and president of the National Council of Hungarians in Serbia, Arpad Fremont, also laid wreaths in the museum. They toured the museum, accompanied by the President of the Provincial Government, Maja Gojković, the Minister of Labour, Employment, Veterans, and Social Affairs, Nemanja Starović, and the President of the VMSZ, Bálint Pásztor.
President Vučić stated that Serbia currently has no closer and more excellent ally than Hungary and said that as long as he is involved in politics, he will try not to spoil the good relations between the two nations. The President of the Republic of Serbia expressed gratitude to the Hungarian government for helping restore the temple in Žabalj.
He thanked Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok for his visit to Serbia, their support at the UN general assembly, and numerous ongoing collaborative projects in Vojvodina. He assessed that the visit made a new contribution to the creation of better relations between the two peoples and the two countries.
The President of Hungary stated that Hungary will do everything for Serbia to become a full member of the European Union
Vučić stated that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and former VMSZ leader Ištvan Pastor contributed the most to better relations between Serbs and Hungarians, to establishing a sincere and neighbourly friendship between Serbia and Hungary.
Sulyok stated that today, the two countries opened a new chapter in their relations, as well as that the restoration and consecration of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Snows will become a symbol of Hungarian-Serbian friendship, that it will strengthen faith in humanity and the common European destiny of the two nations.
Sulyok said that the Church of Our Lady of Snows was in terrible condition until recently and that today, it is in a completely new guise and full of people.
He added that he and Vučić discussed everything that happened during the Second World War and concluded that the Serbian and Hungarian sides forgave each other for their bad deeds.
The President of Hungary pointed out that the former president of the Union of Vojvodina Hungarians, István Pásztor, contributed a lot to the historic reconciliation of Serbs and Hungarians.