The decision of the European Commission to provide € 111m in funding towards construction of the laser research centre in Szeged, Hungary, means that the financing for the first phase of the large scientific project is fully available, Deputy State Secretary for Development Policy Communication Nándor Csepreghy announced on Monday in Szeged.
With its decision, the European Commission has acknowledged the long preparatory work of the Hungarian Government, Mr. Csepreghy said at the press conference held with relation to the project.
The laser centre is a huge investment project, but it will only secure the success of Hungary and the region if the scientific achievements realised here can be translated into everyday technologies, the Deputy State Secretary emphasised, adding that this is one of the reasons why the Government is providing significantly higher funding for R+D and innovation than in the last 7-year budgetary period: HUF 700bn compared to HUF 200bn.
According to plans, research will begin at the centre in 2016, and during the second phase of the investment, which the EU will also support financially with funding of € 100m, the installation of scientific technology will be concluded by 2018.
(Prime Minister’s Office)
