Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced that Belgrade and Budapest are working towards establishing a comprehensive military alliance, following the signing of a document on Serbian-Hungarian strategic defence cooperation.
"We aim to forge the closest strategic relations in the field of defense, and we believe that this agreement on joint activities will pave the way for a military alliance or union between Serbia and Hungary," the Serbian leader stated.
The document on strategic defence cooperation, along with a plan for bilateral military partnership for 2025, were signed by Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic and his Hungarian counterpart, Krisztof Szalay-Bobrovniczky. Serbia's president Aleksandar Vucic attended the signing ceremony.
"Of all the countries in the region, Serbia has the most developed and intensive cooperation in defence with Hungary - in terms of the number and importance of joint activities," Vucic said in a separate press release issued by the Serbian defence ministry.
Vucic stated the key elements of the defence cooperation with Hungary are military-to-military cooperation, which includes bilateral and multinational exercises, and military-technical cooperation in the procurement of weapons systems and assets.
The plan outlines 79 joint activities, which include helicopter exercises, naval training, multinational peace operations training for volunteer reserve personnel, and rifle training.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky stated that the two countries hold regular consultations at the highest level even though Serbia is not a member of the European Union.
"In Belgrade today, I reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to peace and stability in the Western Balkans. Serbia is a key partner in this effort, and we strongly support its EU integration. Our strategic ties span all areas—including defence," wrote Krisztof Szalay-Bobrovniczky on X.
He confirmed that out of the neighbouring non-EU and non-NATO member states, Hungary had the most intensive bilateral defence and military relations with Serbia, and also contributed to the modernization of the Serbian Armed Forces.
"Serbia is not in the EU, but we engage in consultations at the highest level. Since 2023, we have expanded our cooperation to include military matters, and today, we have moved forward with the plan for 2025," - stated the Hungarian Minister of Defence.
Serbia applied for EU membership in 2009, and in 2012 it was deemed a candidate country. Negotiations between the EU and Serbia for enlargement are ongoing.
The agreement comes two weeks after the defence ministers of Albania, Croatia and Kosovo signed a defence cooperation agreement that aims to strengthen their defence capabilities and improve military interoperability through joint training and exercises. Right after the signing the tripartite agreement, Serbia expressed concerns over the increasing military cooperation between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia
President Donald Trump says the U.S. may start winding down operations against Iran but insists other nations must secure the Strait of Hormuz. Ove...
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-w...
Iceland could reopen talks on joining the European Union after a 13-year pause, as shifting security concerns and renewed economic debate bring ...
Italy will vote on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni&rsq...
Uzbekistan has outlined plans to select its first astronaut and launch two Earth observation satellites, as it steps up efforts to build a national...
Kazakhstan and Serbia have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership following talks in Astana between Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Aleksandar Vučić, signalling a shift from political dialogue towards more practical cooperation.
Azerbaijan and Serbia have formally launched a Strategic Partnership Council, marking a new phase in bilateral relations and placing cooperation under direct presidential oversight.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić reaffirmed their countries’ strategic partnership in Belgrade on Sunday (15 February), signing a series of cooperation agreements.
Türkiye and Serbia agreed to expand cooperation across defence, foreign policy and economic relations following talks between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Aleksandar Vučić in Ankara.
Israel reportedly launched a fresh wave of attacks on Iran on Friday (20 March), a day after U.S. President Donald Trump told it not to repeat its strikes on Iranian natural gas infrastructure, which sharply escalated the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris, the martial artist, actor and cultural icon best known for his roles in action films and the long-running CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 86.
Transport groups across the Philippines launched a nationwide strike on Thursday in protest against rising oil prices. The action affected 15 to 20 protest centres in Metro Manila, with similar demonstrations taking place across several major provinces.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has refused to lift his opposition to a €90 billion ($104 billion) European Union loan to help Ukraine keep up its fight against Russia’s invasion, following a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday (19 March).
As Afghans celebrate Eid, there is at least some relief, with Afghanistan and Pakistan pausing military operations following mediation by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye after weeks of tension.
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-wing former Prime Minister Janez Janša.
Iceland could reopen talks on joining the European Union after a 13-year pause, as shifting security concerns and renewed economic debate bring EU membership back to the centre of national politics.
Italy will vote on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 21 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The British government gave authorisation on Friday (20 March) for the U.S. to use military bases in Britain to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment