Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and Serbian Defense Minister-in-Office Bratislav Gašić signed an agreement on strategic cooperation in the field of defense in Belgrade on Tuesday.
The signing of the agreement was also attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who said on that occasion that the strategic cooperation between Serbia and Hungary in the field of defense is one of the most important aspects of our comprehensive strategic cooperation among all countries in the region.
“The strategic cooperation between Serbia and Hungary in the field of defense is one of the most important aspects of our comprehensive strategic cooperation among all countries in the region. In terms of the number and importance of joint activities, Serbia has the most developed and intensive cooperation in the field of defense with Hungary,” said Vučić.
At a joint press conference with the Hungarian Defense Minister, Vučić announced that he would soon meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and that the project for the construction of a joint oil pipeline from Algja to Novi Sad, worth around 129.5 million euros, would be completed in the third quarter.
“We are completing the project for the oil pipeline from Alđa to Novi Sad in the third quarter and according to estimates it will cost us around 129.5 million euros. We would then have another oil pipeline in addition to Janaf, a greater possibility, a more significant diversification for obtaining oil from different sources, which could be incomparably cheaper for Serbia,” said Vučić.
Vučić reminded that the trade exchange between the two countries last year amounted to 3.03 billion euros and that Serbian exports to Hungary increased by five or six times compared to 2012.
“I think that speaks volumes about the relations between Serbia and Hungary, which are of enormous benefit to both the citizens of Serbia and the citizens of Hungary, and imports from Hungary have increased by 2.3 times. Hungary is now Serbia’s fifth partner, and it was the 13th partner,” said Vučić.
Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky thanked Vučić for the words he used to describe all forms of cooperation between the two countries, including military cooperation.
“Serbia is not in the EU, but we have consultations at the highest level. Since 2023, we have expanded cooperation to include military cooperation, and today we have moved on to the plan for 2025,” stated the Hungarian Minister of Defense.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that Hungary is always on the side of peace and added that Serbia is Hungary’s ally in this.
“Hungary has always emphasized the importance of Serbia being a member of the European Union, and as far as military cooperation is concerned, we have always helped Serbia preserve peace,” said Szalay-Bobrovniczky.
Photo: Ured Predsjednika Srbije
