Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Saturday that the Serbian section of the Chinese-built Belgrade-Budapest railway will greatly benefit the country’s economy and local development once completed. The railway, which is about 350 km long, is a flagship project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and is a result of deepening cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries. The President estimates that the railway will be completed by the end of 2024, which will be before Hungary finishes its own section of the railway, but it is important for the development of the northern part of Serbia, as well as for tourism in Palic, Topola, and other settlements along the route.
The Chinese Ambassador to Serbia also stated that the railway is important for improving connectivity between Serbia and other parts of Europe and Asia. The first section of the railway in Serbia, between Belgrade and Novi Sad, was already operational in March 2022, and the second section between Novi Sad and Subotica, started construction in November 2021.