Interview H.E. ATTILA PINTÉR AMBASSADOR OF HUNGARY TO SERBIA
I
n elaborating ways to avoid being hit by the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, the governments of Hungary and Serbia recently agreed that Serbia can store 500 million cubic metres of gas with its neighbour, thereby increasing its reserves. This arrangement is one in a series that confirm the high level of bilateral cooperation that was discussed recently in Novi Sad, at the Agriculture Fair that was opened by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Speaking in this interview for CorD Magazine, Ambassador Attila Pintér says he doesn’t believe the two countries, with their strong agriculture, will be hit by food shortages, though he adds that the situation is more complex on the wider European and world markets.
Your Excellency, given that Hungary strongly supports Serbia’s European integration, how are your country’s current relations with its partners within the EU?
The question is ever relevant and I want to stress that we firmly believe that the EU can only benefit from the membership of Serbia. We use every forum to spread the word and convince our partners in the EU that this is the way to go. Serbia is important from the perspective of geopolitics, being the key state in the Western Balkans. We believe that the stability and future progress of the region cannot be ensured without Serbia.
No Stability
Without Serbia
I think there is no alternative to full EU membership for Serbia and the Western Balkans. I think we should present the same terms and benefits to prospective partners, not give them “second hand” alternatives. Serbia has proven itself as a valuable partner for us, and especially for Hungary, and we therefore do not consider alternatives when it comes to EU enlargement ~ Attila Pintér 12
June
