Hungary: Hungary gives special priority to the success of Serbia’s accession negotiations for EU membership

BELGRADE – The Ambassador of Hungary in Serbia, Jozef Magyar, said that the Hungarian presidency of the EU will further enhance the accession process of the Western Balkans, and that the success of Serbia’s accession negotiations to join the Union is of special priority for that country. At a reception in Belgrade on the occasion of the start of Hungary’s presidency of the EU Council, he emphasized that the favorable atmosphere for expansion created at the end of June during Belgium’s presidency should be utilized.

“We advocate for the opening of Cluster 3 with Serbia as soon as possible, to initiate negotiations on chapters that are stagnating. We need to assess the results of Serbia’s reforms, especially in the area of the economy and in connection with the soon-to-be completed reform package tailored to the growth plan,” he stated. He added that it is important to strengthen institutional dialogue by holding a new intergovernmental conference, and to separate politically motivated chapters from the rest. “Our interest is for Serbia to enter the EU payment system, to build accessible border crossings with special green corridors,” said the ambassador. According to him, Serbia should make good use of the remaining funds, and added that Hungary can help with its experiences. “I invite the head of the European delegation and my fellow ambassadors of member states to join forces for Serbia’s success, because Serbia’s success is also a success for the European Union,” he said. He also stated that Serbia is a key country in the region and a pillar of its stability. “Hungary particularly wants to contribute to solving political security issues and economic challenges of the Western Balkan countries, and for us, in that sense, Serbia is an exceptional friendly, neighborly, and strategic partner,” said the ambassador.

He noted that Serbia’s request for EU accession now receives new confirmation from Belgrade, and that a new active period of work for the Serbian government and parliament on this task is ahead. “I am pleased that the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians is participating in this task as a coalition partner of the Serbian government, with the help of its state secretaries and representatives in the National Assembly,” Magyar emphasized. He added that the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council will further enhance the Western Balkans’ accession process to the EU, especially Serbia’s. “This leads us to invite our partners from Serbia to as many meetings of the Hungarian presidency as possible and to ensure that the EU-Western Balkans summit, which will be held under the Hungarian presidency in the fall, achieves substantial results leading to Serbia’s full membership in the EU,” the ambassador said.

He said that Hungary particularly wants to contribute to solving political security issues and economic challenges of the Western Balkan countries. “Through economic cooperation in the region, our country has invested 2.5 billion euros, while several hundred Hungarian soldiers have been strengthening the security and stability of the region for years,” he emphasized. He pointed out that without Serbia in the region, the economy could not function predictably, and the supply of energy to the region, as well as the flow of goods and people, would also suffer. According to him, Hungary will continue to implement the agreed joint program with colleagues from European institutions and member states to ensure peace and security within Europe’s borders, but also in the neighborhood. “Hungary’s presidency will focus on seven priorities, to which we will add another priority, and that is the Western Balkans,” Magyar stated. (July 6)