The Defence Minister of Hungary, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, has said that Serbia must join the European Union “after many years of waiting”.
The Minister said that Hungary has always supported the EU’s enlargement, and now, as the holder of the presidency of the Council of the European Union, it is again reiterating that Serbia’s integration into the EU should be finalised as soon as possible, Schengen.News reports.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky’s comments came during a joint press conference with his Serbian counterpart, Bratislav Gasic.
Since Hungary took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU on July 1, 2024, it has continuously reiterated its support for Serbia’s accession to the bloc.
Hungarians account for the largest minority group in Serbia. Based on the 2022 consensus, there are 184,442 Hungarians in Serbia, representing 2.8 per cent of the total population.
Reaffirming Support for Serbia’s EU Accession
Last month, Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok met with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic. During the meeting, the Hungarian President reaffirmed its strong support for Serbia’s EU membership, emphasising also the importance of energy and infrastructure cooperation between the two territories.
The President of Hungary also said that it is time to fulfil the two-decade-old promise of EU Membership for the Western Balkans.
Serbia’s Pathway to EU
Serbia filled out the application to become part of the European Union in 2009, while in 2012, the country was granted EU candidate status.
Accession negotiations between the EU and Serbia began in June 2013, and in January 2014, the first intergovernmental Conference was held, thus indicating the formal beginning of Serbia’s accession negotiations.
Nonetheless, authorities in Serbia are yet to ensure more proactive and objective communication concerning the European Union and Serbia’s accession process. Such conclusions have been reached in the annual EU Progress Report concerning Serbia.
Through the Progress Report, the Commission emphasises the progress made by the countries in their pathway to becoming part of the bloc.
Former Hungarian President Pledged for Accelerated EU Accession for Western Balkan Countries
In October last year, the then President of Hungary, Katalin Novak, said Hungary would accelerate the membership of Western Balkan countries to the bloc during the second half of 2024 as the holder of the EU’s rotating presidency.
The then President of Hungary said that when it comes to the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the bloc, the EU failed to do its homework.
Source: https://schengen.news/serbia-must-join-eu-after-many-years-of-waiting-hungarian-defence-minister-says/
