“A new era began in the life of the Hungarian community in Vojvodina with the launching of the Hungarian government’s Economic Development Programme in 2016, which the Serbian government also accepted, and it has since transpired that in addition to Vojvodina, both Serbia and Hungary are also gaining from the Programme”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó emphasised in Senta (Zenta) on Friday, where he gave a speech at the signing ceremony of contracts being concluded within the framework of the Vojvodina Economic Development Programme.

He highlighted the fact that in the case of the Hungarians national borders and the country’s borders do not coincide, “and accordingly national policy must be at the focal point of Hungarian government strategy, and one of the cornerstones of government strategy must be national policy”. “The fundamental principles of Hungarian national policy include the fact that we do not want to dictate what is good for cross-border communities from Budapest, that national communities must be reinforced at home, and that we regard them as resources that create a link between the mother country and its neighbours”, Mr. Szijjártó said. He highlighted the fact that these were also the points that were taken into consideration during the drawing up of Hungarian political strategy relating to Vojvodina. He recalled that when the Hungarian government asked the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (VMSZ) its opinion on how it could help the Hungarian community in Vojvodina, the party’s president suggested an economic development programme, in addition to recommending balanced and friendly relations with Belgrade and the Serbian government. “The ideas put forward by the VMSZ coincided with those of the Hungarian government, and the result was a successful economic development programme”, the Minister stated.

As he explained, good neighbourly relations reinforce both nations, while disputes weaken both the Serbs and the Hungarians, and during the course of history both parties have experience what it is like when relations are bad. “Relations between our two countries have never been as good as they are today”, Mr. Szijjártó underlined. “The reason for this is perhaps that both countries have governments that are nationally committed, and which know what the national interest is, and are also capable of respecting the other nation, which also practices politics according to similar principles”, he added. “Both sides have governments that regard national minorities as a resource”, Mr. Szijjártó said, pointing out that from among the neighbouring countries the Hungarian community in Vojvodina is afforded the fairest treatment, and this is also the viewpoint supported by Budapest in the European Union when the Serbs are criticised with relation to minority issues.

“A total of 10,426 contracts have been concluded so far within the framework of the Vojvodina Economic Development Programme, as a result of which of 75 billion forints (EUR 225 million) in investment have been realised on the territory of Vojvodina with the help of 38.3 billion forints (EUR 115 million) in funding, and 700 new workplaces have also been realised”, detailed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who drew attention to the fact that further funding is to be expected. “Today, Hungary is now strong enough to be able to also efficiently help cross-border national communities”, he underlined, assuring those present that they can continue to count on the support of the Hungarian government in future. Serbian Minister Without Portfolio for European Integration Jadranka Joksimović highlighted the fact that in recent years the two governments have improved their already good relations to a level that may now be regarded as a strategic partnership. She expressed her hope that the funding received will be spent for purposes that not only help individual families, but are to the advantage of the whole country’s economy. She added that the funding being provided by the Hungarian government may be applied for by members of the Hungarian minority living in Serbia, but since they are full members of the country, the funding is reinforcing Serbia.

President of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (VMSZ) István Pásztor thanked the Serbian government for showing openness towards the Programme. He thanked Péter Szijjártó for undertaking the risks associated with the realisation of the Programme, in view of the fact that nobody had prior experience of this kind in Vojvodina. “The idea grew into an instrument of national policy, and the experiment became a national policy success”, he stated, adding that he had always believe that there is enough vitality in Vojvodina economic life, and that there would be demand for the funding, and ideas that can be realised. “The primary goal of Vojvodina Hungarians is to make progress, to see their grandchildren grow up, to be able to hold conversations with their neighbours and go fishing; in other words, to be able to live their lives”, he said, adding that in addition to preserving their identity, this also requires existential support, and this is what the Economic Development Programme is making possible.

The results of the seventh round of tenders were announced on Friday. 2,165 contract were signed, enabling 10.5 billion forints (EUR 31.5 million) in investment via 7.52 billion forints (EUR 22.6 million) of non-returnable funding. Budapest earmarked a budget of 50 billion forints (EUR 150 million) for the first phase of the Vojvodina Economic Development Programme in 2016-2018, but later increased the available budget. The greatest emphasis within the Programme is being placed on the development of agriculture, tourism and small and medium-sized businesses, the goal being to stop the emigration of young people abroad and to reverse the process. The second phase of the Economic Development Programme was launched this year.

(MTI)