Hungarian-Serbian intergovernmental meeting in Nis

Nis, November 21 (MTI) – Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called for strengthening economic ties between Hungary and Serbia at an intergovernmental meeting on Monday.

Over the past few years, the two countries laid down the political foundations of bilateral economic cooperation and now the time has come to carry out investments that benefit both countries, Orbán told a press conference in Nis, where the governments of Hungary and Serbia are holding a joint cabinet meeting.

Orbán said analyses showed that Serbia was on the brink of a major economic boom, which he said would create more opportunities for investors there than ever before.

The prime minister vowed that Hungary would only carry out investment projects in Serbia that are in line with the country’s economic strategy. He said Hungary had had both good and bad experiences with foreign investors out of which the good ones had pertained to investors who had aligned their plans with the government’s economic strategy, creating long-term and profitable investment projects.

Orbán said Serbia should also invest in Hungary. He said that although Hungary’s economic indicators are currently better than those of Serbia, the two countries’ indicators would eventually even out, ensuring balanced bilateral relations. Hungary’s financial system is ready to assist Serbian businesses in their investments in Hungary, which the government will also support, he added.

Orbán noted that Hungary’s Eximbank has opened a 61 million euro credit line to support Hungarian-Serbian business ties, adding that the bank could provide even more credit if necessary.

Concerning migration, Orbán said Hungary supports every measure by Serbia aimed at stopping illegal migration. This includes aiding the country with manpower, experts or financial resources, he said, adding that the stability of Serbia is in the interests of Hungary, central Europe and the continent as a whole.