Substantial development funds are available for settlements along the Hungarian-Romanian border in the upcoming years – Minister of State heading the Prime Minister’s Office János Lázár said in Nagylak on Monday.

During the 2014-2020 EU financial period, HUF 60bn (€200m) is expected to be available to fund cross-border infrastructure and service investment projects realised through cooperation between settlements on both sides of the border.

From these funds, inland water drainage, public spaces and municipal roads may be renewed, in addition to which there will be financial support for job-creating development projects realised by SMEs. The Minister of State said he would be holding negotiations with representatives of the European Commission on 28 January.

János Lázár added that the Government will have finished assuming the debts of local governments by the end of February. There were 1160 municipalities in the country with no debt, of which many were creditable. The Government also intends to offer partnership to municipalities who, after careful deliberation, did not take on any loans, the Minister of State said.

Mr. Lázár also mentioned that at the next cabinet meeting the Government would discuss the creation of a HUF 10bn (€33.3m) budget from which settlements of this kind, including Nagylak, may apply for funding towards development projects, including improving the energy efficiency of public institutions.

(Prime Minister’s Office)