Minister of Public Administration and Justice Tibor Navracsics considers Hungarian-Serbian relations to be better now than at any time in the recent past, and that the Alliance of Hungarians in Vajdaság/ Vojvodina (VMSZ) is able to effectively represent the interests of Hungarians living in that region.

Deputy Prime Minister Navracsics, who has recently returned from Belgrade, was speaking on the programme ‘180 Minutes’, broadcast on Kossuth Radio on Wednesday morning.

Mr. Navracsics said that the Hungarian government is committed to cooperating with the neighbouring country of Serbia, which is also open to such a relationship.

The minister said that an extremely close partnership can emerge between the two countries – a historic opportunity that must be utilised. He remarked that for centuries the two neighbouring nations had always opposed each other in historical conflicts, and this has given rise to much disquiet, but he now sees the relations between the two countries as being better than at any time in the recent past.

Mr. Navracsics said that the political representation of Hungarians in Vajdaság/Vojvodina – and the whole Hungarian community there – is going through a complicated period. One aspect is that simplified naturalisation procedures and open borders have produced an enormous temptation to relocate and migrate from Serbia, which has been hit by the economic crisis. He added that ‘The Serbian political scene is in such ferment and has witnessed the appearance of such contrasting players with divergent agendas, that Hungarians in Vajdaság/Vojvodina and their political representatives must redefine themselves in almost every area.’

Mr. Navracsics thinks that the VMSZ is responding appropriately to the demands which are arising and that it has support and legitimacy, and therefore he is confident that in the future the organisation will continue to effectively represent the interest of Hungarians in Vajdaság/Vojvodina.

(Ministry of Public Administration and Justice)