Serbian journalist Darko Čačić reported that the Hungarian government has been at odds with Brussels for a long time and has become the main pro-Serbian lobby in the EU. This special “non-free” relationship was on Wednesday ( September 8) officially confirmed. EURACTIV Bulgaria.
Serbian and Hungarian prime ministers Anna Brnabic and Victor Orban signed an agreement on friendly relations and strategic partnership in Budapest on Wednesday (September 8). The relevant ministers also signed seven cooperation documents on economy, trade, agriculture and diplomacy.
After the joint meeting of the two governments, Orban stated that the relationship between the two countries had reached an “unprecedented level” and reiterated the overall commitment to Serbia’s European integration.
Brnabic stated that Hungary is “absolutely and without a doubt the most reliable partner of Serbia” on its European roads. These statements echo the previous remarks of Orban and Serbian President Alexander Vucic, who have established a close relationship in recent years.
Orban has been working hard to promote Serbia’s accession to the European Union, although Belgrade’s accession negotiations are currently at a deadlock due to a lack of reforms, especially in terms of the rule of law.
At the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia last week, Orban once again emphasized his clear support for Serbia’s accession to the European Union, calling it the “key” to the integration of the Western Balkans.
“Serbia is very important. Without Serbia as a member of the European Union, we cannot talk about security or the identity of Europe as a whole. As a member of the European Union, we need Serbia more than Serbia,” Orban said in a panel discussion on the future of Europe .
Orban had a series of conflicts with the European Union over issues such as refugee treatment, pressure on academics, judges and the media. He visited Belgrade on July 8.
Just a few days ago, he was promoted His vision for the future of the EU At seven o’clock, one of them asked Serbia to join the European Union immediately. Orban’s proposal was criticized by the leaders of many EU member states. German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that Hungary’s vision for the future of the EU is very different from that of other countries.
“I thank the Prime Minister of Hungary and the government itself because they are willing to be attacked and criticized for supporting Serbia’s accession to the EU. There are many such friends. We will know how to value and return their favor,” Vucic in Orban July Said during the visit.
Hungary will benefit from supporting Belgrade
Vladimir Međak, Vice President of the Serbian European Movement, stated that Orban has strengthened Hungary’s influence in Serbia and the region by advocating Serbia’s accession to the European Union, while also enhancing Hungary’s position in Brussels. .
“This is a win-win situation for Orban. The strengthening of the relationship between Orban’s Fidesz and Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party has made significant progress in the economic cooperation between the two countries,” Međak told EURACTIV Bulgaria.
“On the other hand, expansion is one of the important policies within the EU. [enlargement] Commissioner Várhelyi is from Hungary. By seeing itself as an important participant in the Western Balkans, Hungary is strengthening its position in various negotiations within the EU,” Međak said.
He said that although this relationship may be beneficial to Hungary, Serbia has little benefit. He recalled the harsh comments made by Josip Juratović, a member of the German Bundestag. He recently asked if Serbia would join the non-free European Union of the Visegrad Group. Hungary belongs to , Or the European Union of Western Europe type.
“These two visions are real. Serbia will not be allowed to enter the European Union as an unfree country. If it emerges as that type of country in Brussels, it will not help Serbia at all. For the European integration process, this It will not help Serbia and may even be harmful to certain circles,” Međak said.
Međak stated that one of Budapest’s motives for advocating Serbia’s accession to the EU is of course that southern Hungary no longer has the EU’s external borders, and that the policy is “practical, highly rational and logical”.
If Serbia joins the EU, apart from a small border with Ukraine, Hungary will be surrounded by EU countries. “It is a good thing for the country to be sandwiched between EU member states because it increases its level of security. It is better not to have an EU external border because it is demanding and expensive,” Međak said.
Orbán and Vučić are often criticized for taking authoritarian positions and consolidating their positions by restricting media freedom. They often encounter surprising situations, especially in the past two and a half years. In recent years, economic ties between the two countries have also been strengthened.
The Orban government has invested heavily in Vojvodina, which is an autonomous province in northern Serbia and has a large number of Hungarian minorities.
Behind the politics, commercial transactions are also booming. A survey by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) revealed that a group of affiliated companies involving colleagues from Orban and colleagues from the Serbian ruling Progress Party has begun to dominate the street lighting business in Serbia.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic/Vlagyiszlav Makszimov]
