Orlic meets with Kover in Budapest

BUDAPEST - Serbia and Hungary have excellent, friendly bilateral relations that are at the highest level in modern history, Serbian Parliament Speaker Vladimir Orlic and his Hungarian counterpart Laszlo Kover confirmed at a meeting in Budepest on Monday.

The parties expressed the confidence the close and dynamic cooperation in all areas would be continued, the Serbian parliament said in a statement.

"We have excellent cooperation in all fields and I am confident our meeting today is just one in a series of steps towards strengthening and advancing it in the future," Orlic said.

He took the opportunity to thank Hungary for its support to Serbia on the EU path, as well as for its clear political backing, demonstrated on every occasion.

Kover said the support for Serbia's EU integration was unquestionable and that the position would not be changed.

"Due to its success and results in the integration process, Serbia already deserves a place among EU member states. Serbia is needed by the EU and by our country as well, and we hope you will join as soon as possible. Your membership will mark the start of an era of strategic cooperation between Serbia and Hungary at an even higher level," Kover said.

Orlic thanked him for the treatment of Hungary's ethnic Serbs, which both parties noted is better than ever.

They welcomed cooperation in implementation of strategic infrastructure projects such as the construction of a Belgrade-Budapest high-speed rail line and joint engagement regarding energy security.

"I am certain many more important and great victories are ahead of us that we will secure together for our two countries and peoples in the future," Orlic said.

Orlic and Kover also expressed readiness for further strengthening of parliamentary relations.