Relations need strengthening

Relations need strengthening Serbia’s integration in the EU structures will be beneficial for Hungary for many reasons, ranging from security to economy, from free movement to investment-friendliness, etc. “One must not forget that Hungary’s economy suffers from the vicinity of a region that is branded ‘a black hole’, an uncertain investment area. And one must not forget that we are concerned about our fellow-Hungarians welfare and European prospects of their home, in Serbia, said H.E. Mr. Oszkar Nikowitz, Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary in Serbia in his exclusive interview for CorD The Law on Rehabilitation will be debated in the Serbian Parliament soon. Representatives of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) and Serbian officials have reached an agreement which is incorporated into the law that stipulates that the Hungarians should be given back their property, which was repossessed following the WWII. What is your view of the draft law? "I hope you will pardon my hairsplitting but the statement incorporated into your question is not correct. What the new law stipulates is not that the Hungarians should be given back their property, but it clarifies who to understand under the term ‘members of the occupation forces’ in the other law, in other words, who the persons are that are not entitled to claim restitution. And this is exactly what we deem important. Since the new draft law says it is those only who have committed war crimes, it is acceptable for us in Hungary." Could we say that the draft Law on Rehabilitation provides a satisfactory solution to the issue of restitution as far as the Hungarians living in Serbia are concerned? "Yes, if the draft in its current form is endorsed by the government, submitted to the parliament, survives the debate without major amendments and passes – it should be considered as satisfactory. After all, all Hungarians want is to be treated as equal individuals with others, and not looked upon as people, a collective, with a dark stain in their past." Can we conclude that the satisfactory resolution of the rehabilitation and restitution issue will prompt Hungary to support the Serbian candidacy for EU membership? "Once the above mentioned satisfactory solution is found you can take Hungary’s support for candidacy for granted." The process of restitution will be dynamically tied to the process of rehabilitation. In your opinion, what will the speed at which those two processes are implemented depend on? "I do not really feel competent to forecast or comment on how, and at what pace these processes will be carried out. I think the forthcoming campaign and the election period might slow it down a little, temporarily, but I do not see any reason the process should not continue smoothly." You have said recently that restituting the property to the descendants of Nazi soldiers, who participated in the Novi Sad raids, should not constitute a prerequisite for Serbia becoming an EU member, and that “the collective guilt” of the Hungarian nation for events that took place during WWII should not be imposed. Do you think that the proposed solutions will resolve this problem once and for all? "Well, I have to insist again on the precise quotation. I certainly did not say anything with the word Nazi as I consciously try to avoid superficial generalising, especially in such sensitive matters as behaviour in WWII. We do not necessarily need stick the name Nazi on the Hungarian evildoer criminals during the Razzia in order to despise them more. They are despicable enough as they are. What I said is that noone would mind if their descendants are excluded from the restitution, but we insist that the rest of the Hungarians are not put under the same heading as them. Which the law on restitution suggests. It is very important that the proposed text clearly says that only war criminals are to be deprived of the restitution. War criminals, sentenced as such. Yes, it will probably provide a solution – but whether for once and for all…? One should be optimistic but not naïve." At the beginning of this year, you reminded the public that, in 2005, Vojvodina’s Inquiry Board started to investigate the aforementioned crimes, that a committee that would probe the issue of secret graves was set up and that the respective Hungarian and Serbian academy of science formed historically important committees that would investigate the events in question. You have also said that so far it is only ‘on a high official level’ that the intention can be felt . Has anything changed in the meantime? "I said that the Inquiry Board and the joint committee of historians investigate not only the aforementioned crimes, that means the ones the Hungarians committed in ’42, but equally the ones the Serbs, i.e. partisans committed against Hungarians in ’44. These are, too, ‘events in question’. Anyway, while the committee on mass graves works very effectively, I can state with regret that the mixed committee of historians has not really started the intensive work yet and neither side has yet allocated the necessary means (read: money) for the investigation. In other words, from the ‘high official level’ it has still not filtered down to the level of the everyday people." You were also quoted as saying that the burden of the dark history of World War II was the only remaining obstacle in achieving total reconciliation, that enough time has passed and that the relations between our two nations were sufficiently good in order to start talking about that painful issue. Who should initiate these talks and who should participate in them? "Yes, I really said that and I still think it is time for a proper ‘in-depth’ dialogue. Does anyone need any more proof than this recent conflict to be convinced that problems go back as fas as the same history period? The reasons boil down to the fact that we bilaterally haven’t yet discussed them thoroughly enough and we haven’t come to terms about those questions of recent history between us. The initiators of the dialogue could be politicians, but it must be carried out by the intellectuals of the two countries, in the papers, periodicals, in symposiums, conferences, etc. All we should avoid is to cede it to the level of anonymous (and irresponsable) bloggers or let our ultras on both sides, turboSerbs, turboHungarians get meddled in. We say that WWII is over and thinking in those categories is outdated, it does not lead anywhere, any more. Should Europe be still thinking the same way as, for example what was reflected in the dabate on the Law on Restitution in the skupshtina, the EU would never have come about." At the onset of restitution disputes, you said that it seemed that “Everybody had suddenly forgotten how Hungary, during its presidency over the EU in the first half of the year, supported Serbia’s candidacy.” You have also objected to the attitude that Serbia had towards Hungary. Could you elaborate what was your objection all about? "I meant that some of the statements made in parliament questioning the Hungarian goodwill were not rebuked by the leading party at all, which made us think that their criticism was shared by the government. And if it is like this, that would certainly mean some amnesia regarding Hungary’s firm support of Serbia’s integration during the last years." If we are talking about Serbia’s integration in the EU, is it fair to say that the accession hinges on Serbia alone? How ready is the Union to continue with the enlargement process? "I agree with the hint in your question that the EU itself is hesitant as regards the continuation of the integration process. However, in my opinion, Serbia had better behave as if it hinged exclusively upon the country. First and foremost, because the entire EU requires work for the benefit of Serbia, even without the EU context. Modernisation of the country is in the interest of its citizens, anyway. Political considerations might get tougher or looser in the EU – I suggest Serbia should not bother much about them, but continue with the modernisation of the country and with the harmonisation of the legislation and administration with EU standards. There hardly is any alternative for all the countries in the Balkans." You have also announced that you expected at least 80,000 Serbian citizens to apply for Hungarian citizenship based on the law that gives that option to the Hungarians living abroad. You have also said that every third Hungarian living in Serbia had expressed interest in obtaining Hungarian citizenship. How many citizenship applications have been filed for so far? " ‘Approximately’ I said, and not ‘at least’. But anyway, the response has justified our expectations and we are very busy processing the applications amounting so far to over 15 thousand. No up-to-date figures are available." Serbia was expected to participate in two EU funded projects during Hungary’s presidency – implementation of the Danube strategy and the Hungarian proposal for the European Roma Integration Strategy. Did Serbia participate and could you tell us how much progress has been made in the implementation of the Danube strategy? "Serbia is actively taking part in the Strategy as one of the coordinators of the projects on rail and air traffic and of the ’knowledge-based society’, focusing on research and development. The startegy itself has not reached the implementation phase yet in the most important domains such as navigation, projects on common energy or sewage systems, etc. The clarification of the financial frameworks seems very time consuming." You have often underlined that Hungary has been trying to help SMEs in Serbia in order for more jobs to be created since small and medium enterprises are crucially important for sustainability of the European social format. What does this help look like in practice? "Promoting small and medium enterprises was a focal point of our proposals for the economy during our EU presidency - as this is the format that creates jobs at the local level and helps in maintaining the European social model. Vis-à-vis Serbia, it is natural for Hungary to open up first towards these enterprises as Hungarian companies that wish to cooperate with the Serbian ones of the same size and they can be helpful for their counterparts in Serbia, in most of the cases in Vojvodina, in applying for European tenders and sources. Often by forming joint ventures or, simply, by providing them partners in EU." What is your view on the economic relations between Serbia and Hungary and the future of those relations? "There are huge potentials that are not exploited. We still haven’t reached the level we had before the crisis and even the before the crisis the ‘historical peak’ of our trade connections was not too high either. The crisis has ceratinly influenced negatively, but it is the business environment in Serbia that has to improve and change in order to attract investments. As regards Hungary, we shall have to find projects in Serbia, or create common ones in the fields we have what to offer: food processing, agriculture, spa and wellness industry, etc." Oszkar Nikowitz This interview was originally published by the CorD magazine Serbia’s integration in the EU structures will be beneficial for Hungary for many reasons, ranging from security to economy, from free movement to investment-friendliness, etc.

Relations need strengthening

Serbia’s integration in the EU structures will be beneficial for Hungary for many reasons, ranging from security to economy, from free movement to investment-friendliness, etc.

“One must not forget that Hungary’s economy suffers from the vicinity of a region that is branded ‘a black hole’, an uncertain investment area. And one must not forget that we are concerned about our fellow-Hungarians welfare and European prospects of their home, in Serbia, said H.E. Mr. Oszkar Nikowitz, Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary in Serbia in his exclusive interview for CorD

The Law on Rehabilitation will be debated in the Serbian Parliament soon. Representatives of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) and Serbian officials have reached an agreement which is incorporated into the law that stipulates that the Hungarians should be given back their property, which was repossessed following the WWII. What is your view of the draft law?

"I hope you will pardon my hairsplitting but the statement incorporated into your question is not correct. What the new law stipulates is not that the Hungarians should be given back their property, but it clarifies who to understand under the term ‘members of the occupation forces’ in the other law, in other words, who the persons are that are not entitled to claim restitution. And this is exactly what we deem important. Since the new draft law says it is those only who have committed war crimes, it is acceptable for us in Hungary."

Could we say that the draft Law on Rehabilitation provides a satisfactory solution to the issue of restitution as far as the Hungarians living in Serbia are concerned?

"Yes, if the draft in its current form is endorsed by the government, submitted to the parliament, survives the debate without major amendments and passes – it should be considered as satisfactory. After all, all Hungarians want is to be treated as equal individuals with others, and not looked upon as people, a collective, with a dark stain in their past."

Can we conclude that the satisfactory resolution of the rehabilitation and restitution issue will prompt Hungary to support the Serbian candidacy for EU membership?

"Once the above mentioned satisfactory solution is found you can take Hungary’s support for candidacy for granted."

The process of restitution will be dynamically tied to the process of rehabilitation. In your opinion, what will the speed at which those two processes are implemented depend on?

"I do not really feel competent to forecast or comment on how, and at what pace these processes will be carried out. I think the forthcoming campaign and the election period might slow it down a little, temporarily, but I do not see any reason the process should not continue smoothly."

You have said recently that restituting the property to the descendants of Nazi soldiers, who participated in the Novi Sad raids, should not constitute a prerequisite for Serbia becoming an EU member, and that “the collective guilt” of the Hungarian nation for events that took place during WWII should not be imposed. Do you think that the proposed solutions will resolve this problem once and for all?

"Well, I have to insist again on the precise quotation. I certainly did not say anything with the word Nazi as I consciously try to avoid superficial generalising, especially in such sensitive matters as behaviour in WWII. We do not necessarily need stick the name Nazi on the Hungarian evildoer criminals during the Razzia in order to despise them more. They are despicable enough as they are. What I said is that noone would mind if their descendants are excluded from the restitution, but we insist that the rest of the Hungarians are not put under the same heading as them. Which the law on restitution suggests. It is very important that the proposed text clearly says that only war criminals are to be deprived of the restitution. War criminals, sentenced as such. Yes, it will probably provide a solution – but whether for once and for all…? One should be optimistic but not naïve."

At the beginning of this year, you reminded the public that, in 2005, Vojvodina’s Inquiry Board started to investigate the aforementioned crimes, that a committee that would probe the issue of secret graves was set up and that the respective Hungarian and Serbian academy of science formed historically important committees that would investigate the events in question. You have also said that so far it is only ‘on a high official level’ that the intention can be felt . Has anything changed in the meantime?

"I said that the Inquiry Board and the joint committee of historians investigate not only the aforementioned crimes, that means the ones the Hungarians committed in ’42, but equally the ones the Serbs, i.e. partisans committed against Hungarians in ’44. These are, too, ‘events in question’. Anyway, while the committee on mass graves works very effectively, I can state with regret that the mixed committee of historians has not really started the intensive work yet and neither side has yet allocated the necessary means (read: money) for the investigation. In other words, from the ‘high official level’ it has still not filtered down to the level of the everyday people."

You were also quoted as saying that the burden of the dark history of World War II was the only remaining obstacle in achieving total reconciliation, that enough time has passed and that the relations between our two nations were sufficiently good in order to start talking about that painful issue. Who should initiate these talks and who should participate in them?

"Yes, I really said that and I still think it is time for a proper ‘in-depth’ dialogue. Does anyone need any more proof than this recent conflict to be convinced that problems go back as fas as the same history period? The reasons boil down to the fact that we bilaterally haven’t yet discussed them thoroughly enough and we haven’t come to terms about those questions of recent history between us. The initiators of the dialogue could be politicians, but it must be carried out by the intellectuals of the two countries, in the papers, periodicals, in symposiums, conferences, etc. All we should avoid is to cede it to the level of anonymous (and irresponsable) bloggers or let our ultras on both sides, turboSerbs, turboHungarians get meddled in. We say that WWII is over and thinking in those categories is outdated, it does not lead anywhere, any more. Should Europe be still thinking the same way as, for example what was reflected in the dabate on the Law on Restitution in the skupshtina, the EU would never have come about."

At the onset of restitution disputes, you said that it seemed that “Everybody had suddenly forgotten how Hungary, during its presidency over the EU in the first half of the year, supported Serbia’s candidacy.” You have also objected to the attitude that Serbia had towards Hungary. Could you elaborate what was your objection all about?

"I meant that some of the statements made in parliament questioning the Hungarian goodwill were not rebuked by the leading party at all, which made us think that their criticism was shared by the government. And if it is like this, that would certainly mean some amnesia regarding Hungary’s firm support of Serbia’s integration during the last years."

If we are talking about Serbia’s integration in the EU, is it fair to say that the accession hinges on Serbia alone? How ready is the Union to continue with the enlargement process?

"I agree with the hint in your question that the EU itself is hesitant as regards the continuation of the integration process. However, in my opinion, Serbia had better behave as if it hinged exclusively upon the country. First and foremost, because the entire EU requires work for the benefit of Serbia, even without the EU context. Modernisation of the country is in the interest of its citizens, anyway. Political considerations might get tougher or looser in the EU – I suggest Serbia should not bother much about them, but continue with the modernisation of the country and with the harmonisation of the legislation and administration with EU standards. There hardly is any alternative for all the countries in the Balkans."

You have also announced that you expected at least 80,000 Serbian citizens to apply for Hungarian citizenship based on the law that gives that option to the Hungarians living abroad. You have also said that every third Hungarian living in Serbia had expressed interest in obtaining Hungarian citizenship. How many citizenship applications have been filed for so far?

" ‘Approximately’ I said, and not ‘at least’. But anyway, the response has justified our expectations and we are very busy processing the applications amounting so far to over 15 thousand. No up-to-date figures are available."

Serbia was expected to participate in two EU funded projects during Hungary’s presidency – implementation of the Danube strategy and the Hungarian proposal for the European Roma Integration Strategy. Did Serbia participate and could you tell us how much progress has been made in the implementation of the Danube strategy?

"Serbia is actively taking part in the Strategy as one of the coordinators of the projects on rail and air traffic and of the ’knowledge-based society’, focusing on research and development. The startegy itself has not reached the implementation phase yet in the most important domains such as navigation, projects on common energy or sewage systems, etc. The clarification of the financial frameworks seems very time consuming."

You have often underlined that Hungary has been trying to help SMEs in Serbia in order for more jobs to be created since small and medium enterprises are crucially important for sustainability of the European social format. What does this help look like in practice?

"Promoting small and medium enterprises was a focal point of our proposals for the economy during our EU presidency - as this is the format that creates jobs at the local level and helps in maintaining the European social model. Vis-à-vis Serbia, it is natural for Hungary to open up first towards these enterprises as Hungarian companies that wish to cooperate with the Serbian ones of the same size and they can be helpful for their counterparts in Serbia, in most of the cases in Vojvodina, in applying for European tenders and sources. Often by forming joint ventures or, simply, by providing them partners in EU."

What is your view on the economic relations between Serbia and Hungary and the future of those relations?

"There are huge potentials that are not exploited. We still haven’t reached the level we had before the crisis and even the before the crisis the ‘historical peak’ of our trade connections was not too high either. The crisis has ceratinly influenced negatively, but it is the business environment in Serbia that has to improve and change in order to attract investments. As regards Hungary, we shall have to find projects in Serbia, or create common ones in the fields we have what to offer: food processing, agriculture, spa and wellness industry, etc."