Statement by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, following a summit on migration with the Chancellor of Austria and the President of Serbia
7 July 2023, Vienna (Wien)
7 July 2023, Vienna (Wien)
“Serbs have freedom, sovereignty and independence in their DNA like Hungarians do.” That “shared DNA” is at the root of the respect Hungarians show towards Serbia, the prime minister said.
The prime minister said that Hungary was paying close attention to the situation in Kosovo, and “sees the harm suffered by Serbs.”
The foreign minister said on Sunday that Hungary is offering aid to Serbia which is being threatened by floods.
“The Hungarian nation today considers the Serbian nation their brother," the foreign minister said.
Minister Szijjártó said a contract on the planned project to be implemented by Hungary’s state oil company MOL and Serbia’s Transnafta will be signed at the summit meeting of the two countries’ governments on June 20.
“Central Europe must live up to its task of being successful in this very difficult environment, and this can only be achieved through reliable and predictable partnerships,” Minister Szijjártó said.
The prime minister had talks with the Serbian president in Belgrade on Saturday, along with Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the defense minister, and László Palkovics, the chief executive of N7 Nemzeti Védelmi Ipari Innovation Holding.
Kinga Gál and Andor Deli said in a statement that the European Commission “is not taking meaningful measures” regarding national minorities, as its approach to Minority SafePack has shown.
Minister Szijjártó said negotiations between Hungarian oil and gas company MOL and Serbian oil transport company Transnafta are underway on the pipeline that will connect Algyő, in southern Hungary, and Novi Sad, in northern Serbia.
János Lázár said it was in Hungary’s strategic interest to rebuild the three main border crossing points at Hercegszánto, Kelebia and Röszke.
The prime minister held talks with Vladimir Orlić, the president of Serbia’s National Assembly, in his office.
Hungary is “one of Serbia’s strongest and most faithful supporters in its European accession,” László Kövér said.