Djuric: Serbia-Hungary relations a European model of cooperation, connectivity

BELGRADE - Serbia-Hungary relations represent a true model of regional cooperation and connectivity, Serbian FM Marko Djuric said after meeting with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto in Belgrade, noting that the two countries were accelerating work on infrastructure ties and energy supply routes such as an oil pipeline.

At a press conference with Szijjarto, who is on a one-day visit to Serbia, Djuric announced the two countries would co-host a Serbia-Hungary innovation forum to modernise their economies, become involved in development of new technologies and establish the best possible ties in that domain.

"The fact that Serbia presides over the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence this year means an opportunity for both Serbia and Hungary to take part in shaping the policies as well as the principles of development of artificial intelligence, which is impacting socio-political, economic and all other trends," Djuric said.

He said work was also underway on border crossings to make them the most modern and the most secure border crossings in Europe that would also have the highest throughput capacity to ensure swift, safe and efficient traffic between Serbia and Hungary.

Djuric thanked Hungary for its strong support for Serbia in the international arena and noted that Hungary's EU presidency had demonstrated a sincere commitment to EU integration of Serbia as well as other countries in the region.

He also thanked Hungary for its exceptional treatment of its Serb ethnic community and added that this demonstrated not only the close ties between the two nations and the two countries but also that they stood by the principle of respect for the cultural and spiritual identities and the histories of nations living in the region.

"We are very proud of the active role of Hungarians in Serbia's social and political life. We want to continue to advance this kind of position and cooperation together, and we are grateful for the fact we have succeeded in creating a new kind of relationship that has really become a true European example," Djuric noted.