At the opening of the 89th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad (Újvidék) on Saturday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Hungary and Serbia can count on each other.
Sharing the stage with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at the fair, where Hungary is the guest of honour, PM Orbán noted that both Hungary and Serbia are strong in agriculture and said the countries are “an important food reserve for Europe”. The prime minister said that inflation, the threat of famine in various parts of the world and armed clashes in Ukraine have become the focus of attention, even though both political leaders would “deserve some carefree relaxation under normal circumstances” after recent election victories. He warned that famine could spark a wave of migration that makes previous ones “pale in comparison” as people leave their homes for Europe not only in hope of a better life, but for survival. The prime minister recalled that the two countries’ upgrade of the rail line linking Belgrade and Budapest had been criticised by many, but now the value of the investment has appreciated as delivery routes across Ukraine have become uncertain.
Photo credit: MTI