Key Takeaways
- Hungary’s Defence Minister, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, emphasized that Serbia should join the EU after years of waiting.
- The Minister reiterated Hungary’s consistent support for Serbia’s EU accession.
- Hungary has highlighted the enlargement of the EU to include Western Balkan countries as one of its main priorities during its EU Council presidency.
Hungary’s Defence Minister, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, has stated that Serbia should join the European Union “after many years of waiting.”
During a joint press conference with his Serbian counterpart, Bratislav Gasic, the Minister reaffirmed Hungary’s longstanding support for EU enlargement. As the current holder of the EU Council Presidency, Hungary is emphasizing the need for Serbia’s integration into the EU to be finalized as soon as possible, according to Schengen.News.
Since assuming the EU Council presidency on July 1, 2024, Hungary has consistently advocated for Serbia’s accession to the EU. Notably, Hungarians make up the largest ethnic minority in Serbia, with 184,442 Hungarians recorded in the 2022 census, comprising 2.8% of Serbia’s total population.
Reaffirming Support for Serbia’s EU Accession
Last month, Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, where he reiterated Hungary’s strong support for Serbia’s EU membership. President Sulyok emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of energy and infrastructure.
“Serbia is not only a strategic partner for us but a true friend,” said President Sulyok. “We will do everything we can to support Serbia’s path to full EU membership, and we are committed to contributing to this shared goal.”
He also noted that it is time to fulfill the long-standing promise of EU membership for the Western Balkans, a commitment that has been over two decades in the making.
Serbia’s Pathway to EU
Serbia submitted its application to join the European Union in 2009 and was granted EU candidate status in 2012. Accession negotiations officially began in June 2013, with the first intergovernmental conference held in January 2014, marking the formal start of the country’s EU accession talks.
However, despite these milestones, Serbian authorities have been urged to improve their communication regarding the EU and Serbia’s path to membership. This conclusion was drawn in the annual EU Progress Report on Serbia, which highlights the country’s progress and areas where further work is needed on its journey to EU membership.
The Progress Report serves as a key tool for the European Commission to assess and outline the achievements and challenges faced by candidate countries, providing a roadmap for their integration into the EU.
Former Hungarian President Pledged for Accelerated
EU Accession for Western Balkan Countries
In October of the previous year, the former President of Hungary, Katalin Novak, emphasized that Hungary would push for the acceleration of Western Balkan countries’ EU membership during the second half of 2024, when Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.
Novak also noted the significance of Hungary’s involvement in the Berlin Process, highlighting that it allows Hungary to express its support for the enlargement of the EU to include the Western Balkans at the highest level.
“The EU has failed to do its homework when it comes to the accession of Western Balkan countries,” said Novak, underscoring Hungary’s commitment to advancing the region’s integration into the European Union.
