“In the atmosphere the European Union finds itself today, particularly in the election atmosphere, when various and often negative messages are coming from certain countries, the support of our neighbour – and that of the closest one which is an EU member, strongly suggests that Serbia deserves a more dynamic European path in every way and in all segments of reforms and regional cooperation,” said Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović after the meeting of ministers of the governments of Serbia and Hungary, held in Subotica.
She has said that such a “vocal message from Hungary means much more than negative messages on enlargement coming from certain European countries”.
“Such a message means much more than the criticism coming from certain European countries that are focused on temporary internal problems. It is strategically important to define the direction, which is why the support of our closest neighbour, which is an EU member, is particularly important to us”, said Jadranka Joksimović.
She has said that Hungarian Minster of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán are people and politicians “who clearly and unequivocally advocate the EU enlargement policy, particularly Serbia’s EU accession”.
She has assessed that this represents not only strategic partnership with Serbia, but also the interest of both Hungary and the European Union, and that the Hungarians “are trying to persuade their colleagues in the EU of it”.
“This does not only concern security and stability, but also economic boosting of the EU. Because, not all European economies are in the growing phase, some are stagnating, while Central Europe – and we are the south of Central Europe and the Western Balkan region – certainly has a potential for growth that will spillover to EU’s growth”, explained Joksimović, concluding that all these are very clear and concrete matters.
She has further stated that, through the European integration process, Hungary “has contributed, together with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Serbian Government, to excellent relations between Serbia and Hungary”, adding that Hungary does not condition Serbia’s EU accession with any bilateral issues.
Source: Tanjug
