Serbian President Boris Tadic and Hungarian President Pal Schmitt pointed out the importance of integrating South East Europe into the EU and affirmed Hungary's continued support to Serbia's EU integration efforts.

At a joint news conference after their meeting, Schmitt said that Hungary respects Serbia as a friend and good neighbor and offers its full support in the EU integration process.

The Hungarian president expressed hope that Serbia will formally become an EU membership candidate by the end of the year and get a starting date for accession talks.

Schmitt also stressed the importance of the fact that ethnic minority rights in Serbia are at a high level, which has created the climate needed for intensive cross-border cooperation.

I support the adoption of the law which helps Serbian citizens of Hungarian decent preserve their identity and I think it is an example to be followed, Schmitt said.

Tadic stressed that as someone who guarantees the highest level of minority rights in Serbia, he insists that the rights of the Serb minority in other countries also be respected.

"This is a European policy as well as a national policy," Tadic stressed and expressed expectation that new legislation will guarantee Serbs in Hungary the same level of rights enjoyed by Hungarians in Serbia.

The two presidents agreed that the work of the joint scientific commission, tasked with shedding light on some of the events which took place during and after World War Two, should be supported.

Tadic pointed out that after the process is completed, respect should be paid to victims on all sides, as this will help create a safer environment for both Serbian and Hungarian citizens.

Tadic pointed out that Serbian-Hungarian relations are probably at their historical high point, and Schmitt agreed saying that the conditions for the development of good-neighborly relations have never been better.

The two presidents agreed that economic cooperation should be intensified.

Trade between the two countries has reached USD 1.1 billion.