Serbia-Hungary trade at EUR 1.1bn, expected to grow

Serbia-Hungary trade at EUR 1.1bn, expected to grow

BELGRADE -- The volume of trade between Serbia and Hungary hit a record high of EUR 1.1bn in 2013, participants of the Serbian-Hungary Business Forum said on Thursday.

This number is expected to grow even higher this year, the gathering heard.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said that the relations between Serbia and Hungary have never been better, and underlined the balance and understanding achieved between the two governments.

The strong bilateral ties have a positive influence on the entire region, and contribute significantly to the energy stability of Europe, stressed Szijjarto.

It is very important to start the construction of Belgrade-Budapest high-speed railway as soon as possible. The aim is for the documents about this project and the Chinese investment in it to be signed at the summit of prime ministers of China and 16 European countries in Belgrade.

Two new border crossings between Serbia and Hungary are planned to open in the first, and another two in the second half of 2015, which will help strengthen the economic cooperation between the two countries, the Hungarian minister said.

Serbian Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Snezana Bogosavljević-Bošković said that the Hungarian-Serbian relations are being promoted through dialogue and stepping up activities at all levels.

The volume of trade has doubled since 2009 when it totaled EUR 650 million, which makes Hungary the sixth-largest trading partner of Serbia, she said.

Bogosavljević-Bošković voiced confidence that Hungarian companies will increase their investment in Serbia, and that Serbian...