PM Orbán called the joint recognition an honor and thanked Serbia and President Vučić for the support Hungary has received in recent years. He stressed that Hungary intends to reciprocate. “The Serbian people can always count on the help of the Hungarians in these complicated times,” he said.
The prime minister announced that his afternoon working meeting with the Serbian president would cover energy supply, sanctions, Serbia’s oil supply, and regional peace efforts. “I hope that by this evening we will be able to report on a successful meeting,” he added. PM Orbán emphasized that the two countries now maintain “weekly, high-level contact.”
PM Orbán: Hungary will accelerate construction of the Serbia–Hungary oil pipeline
In response to questions, PM Orbán confirmed that Hungary and Serbia made the right decision when they agreed to build a cross-border oil pipeline. “We already have a gas pipeline, but not an oil pipeline. It is best if the basic energy infrastructure is fully built between our two countries,” he said.
He added that following Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, the government decided to proceed regardless of market uncertainty. “We are not interested in the completely unpredictable market situation — we cannot adapt to that — so we will accelerate construction of the Hungarian section as an explicitly government-led investment, because in the long run we expect our fate to develop in a kind of shared life-community with the Serbs,” PM Orbán said.
When asked how Hungary can assist Serbia, he replied: “My simple answer is that whatever we have, we will share with you.”
President Vučić: PM Orbán always stands by us
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed strong appreciation for the Hungarian prime minister’s support. “I am immensely grateful to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for what he does for Serbian-Hungarian friendship, and he is always there for us when we need help,” he said.
Vučić highlighted that PM Orbán consistently supports Serbia’s EU accession efforts as well as Belgrade’s positions on political and economic issues. “The Serbian people can always count on the Hungarian people — and Hungary can also count on Serbia,” he stated.
The Serbian president noted that while Serbia prepared for the consequences of sanctions — ensuring heating, electricity, and fuel supplies — difficulties emerged because the country’s only oil refinery still has Russian ownership, which has not been sold within the expected timeframe. “That is why we turned to Hungary for help,” Vučić said.