The must-have newsletter about Hungary

SZIJJÁRTÓ: HUNGARY, SERBIA BOTH PAYING HIGH PRICE FOR UKRAINE WAR

 

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told a press conference in Belgrade that neither Serbia nor Hungary was responsible for the outbreak of the war, yet both countries were paying a high price for it. He called it “bad news” that the world was heading towards the formation of blocs. “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,” Szijjártó said, noting that Hungary and Serbia enjoyed such a partnership. “Hungary and Serbia both support peace and the two countries are in agreement that what is most important is to save lives, which is possible only if there is peace,” the minister said.
Answering a question, Szijjártó highlighted the importance for the Hungarian government of security cooperation with Serbia in the context of ongoing illegal migration which he said posed a serious challenge to both countries. He noted that Hungary last year had to block 271,000 illegal entry attempts at its southern border. “We want to strengthen cooperation with Serbia in efforts to move the EU’s external line of defence further south,” Szijjártó said, noting the participation of Hungarian police forces in patrolling the Serbia-North Macedonia border together with Serbian police officers and border guards.