DEFENCE-RELATED DOCUMENT SIGNED, LEADING TOWARDS MILITARY ALLIANCE

BELGRADE, APRIL 1 /SRNA/ - Serbia - Hungary defence-related document was signed in Belgrade, which should lead to the creation of a military alliance between the two countries.

The bilateral military cooperation plan between the ministries of defence of Serbia and Hungary for the year 2025 was signed in the Palace of Serbia by the Minister of Defence of Serbia Bratislav Gašić and the Minister of Defence of Hungary Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, in the presence of the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić.

Vučić, who previously met with the Hungarian Minister of Defence, said at the press conference that Serbia has the most developed and intensive cooperation in the field of defence with Hungary in the region and expressed his belief that the agreement on joint activities will have continuation in the further rapprochement and creation of a military alliance between Serbia and Hungary.

"Of course, the Hungarian party is the one that should be asked about it, the Hungarian and Serbian parliaments and everyone else are the ones to ask," Vučić said, and added that a document was signed today that operationalizes and concretizes the agreement on strategic cooperation in the field of defence reached in 2023.

Vučić has said that Serbia - Hungary strategic cooperation in the field of defence is one of the most important aspects of comprehensive strategic cooperation among all countries in the region.

He has added that the key elements of those relations are military-military cooperation, which is reflected in the implementation of bilateral and multinational exercises, military-technical cooperation in the areas of procurement of weapons systems and equipment.

"We have agreed on the largest number of activities for this year. So far 79, almost twice as many as in 2023 when we had 48. What we have agreed with our Hungarian friends is of great importance to us," said Vučić.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky says that with the signed Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan, the cooperation between the two countries was raised to a higher level, as well as the military cooperation.

When it comes to military cooperation, he pointed out that Hungary has always persisted in helping Serbia preserve peace.

"Cooperation with neighbouring countries is very important internationally, such as with Serbia, and that the two countries always consult. Serbia is not an EU member state, but we have consultations at the highest level," said Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

He expressed his belief that Hungary can contribute to the modernization and overall development of Serbia, and that expert consultations, military training, mapping and consultations in general have been agreed upon.

The Hungarian minister of defence says that this contributes to the further development of cooperation between the two countries and the strengthening of peace and stability in the Western Balkans, adding that Hungary is always siding with peace and is Serbia's ally in this.

He has noted that Hungary is in favour of EU enlargement, thus Serbia's accession to the Union.

The signing was also attended by the Chief of the Serbian Army's General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović.