"Serbia building relationship of trust with Hungary"

"Serbia building relationship of trust with Hungary"

BELGRADE -- Relations between Serbia and Hungary are improving, and Serbia will be a good and responsible partner to Hungary, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić says.

He spoke in Belgrade on Tuesday spoke after the governments of the two countries held their first-ever joint session in Belgrade.

"The relations between Serbia and Hungary are improving and I hope that we are now establishing a relationship of trust, sincerity, respect and understanding, rather than formally good, but traditionally mistrustful relations. As regards Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whom we here in Serbia perceive as a friend... he and all members of his government are always welcome," Vučić said.

In a statement to reporters in the Palace of Serbia, Vučić said that a closed-door meeting with Orban addressed specific forms of cooperation between the two governments, ranging from Hungary's support to Serbia on its European pathway, to constructing rail and road infrastructure.

The Serbian prime minister noted that he discussed with his Hungarian counterpart the construction of railway lines from Belgrade to Budapest and from Subotica to Baja via Szeged, as well as the possibility of opening more border crossings.

"I asked for advice on our common economic and political problems, but also on matters that we will have to consider and deal with in the future, such as the South Stream," he said.

The Serbian prime minister said that a high level of agreement was reached at the meeting.

Vučić also announced discussions on matters related to education and culture, adding that Prime Minister Orban proposed Hungarian scholarships for 50 ethnic...