In what has been described as ‘snub,’ ministers from Belgrade and Budapest skipped an EU Berlin Process summit in Tirana to sign a free trade agreement in China, marking a significant step forward in relations between their countries. Also in Beijing was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic – whose government has been under EU pressure following a shootout last month in Kosovar territory – praised his country’s free trade agreement with China, stating it would benefit Serbian producers of fruits, honey, and winemakers. The agreement is expected to take effect by May or June next year. China has invested billions in Serbia and neighbouring Balkan countries to expand its economic footprint in central and eastern Europe. In September, Chinese state-owned company Zijin Mining announced a $3.8 billion investment in Bor. Serbia, aiming to join the European Union, has been quick to capitalise on China’s interest, with around a third of foreign investments in Serbia coming from Chinese investments last year. In 2022, China was Serbia’s second largest foreign trade partner, after Germany.
Viktor Orbán meanwhile met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Belt and Road forum in Beijing, highlighting Russia’s ability to maintain and build ties with European countries despite limited opportunities for maintaining contacts and developing relations due to the Donbas War. Orbán stressed, however, that it was the most difficult meeting he had yet had with the Russian leader.
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