Foreign Minister János Martonyi visited Serbia on June 10-11, 2010. In Belgrade he met his counterpart, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, as well as President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Bozidar Djelic, the deputy prime minister in charge of integration. In Subotica, Mr. Martonyi met János Pásztor, the Chairman of the Vojvodina Alliance of Hungarians (VMSZ).

The Foreign Minister’ first official bilateral visit underlines Hungary’s efforts to open up its foreign policy towards the south in the framework of regional cooperation and the key importance of Serbian relation.

The foreign ministers discussed the direction of the development of good neighbourly relations, Hungary’s support for Serbia’s EU-integration endeavours, possible new areas of regional cooperation and issues concerning minorities. The parties agreed to hold, for the first time in the history of bilateral relations, a Hungarian-Serbian government session, scheduled to take place in November 2010. After the talks, the foreign ministers signed a statement of agreement on Hungary’s support for Serbia’s integration efforts.

President Tadic, Prime Minister Cvetkovic , Deputy Prime Minister Djelic and Foreign Minister Jeremic thanked Mr Martonyi for Hungary’s support for Serbia’s EU integration efforts. The sides agreed that more emphasis should be placed on economic matters in bilateral relations, and that this aim should be reflected in the November government session. Mr. Martonyi expressed his satisfaction to his Serbian partners with regard to the new institution of cultural autonomy and the positive performance by the Hungarian National Council, and called for further cooperation with the VMSZ based on partnership and forward-thinking. The Serbian side expressed understanding over Hungary’s amendment to the law on citizenship.

At Subotica, Mr. Martonyi congratulated the VMSZ leadership on its performance in the Hungarian National Council elections. The sides reviewed new tasks emerging from the establishment of the Hungarian National Council.