“Hungary will be extending the economic development program, which until now has provided funding to farmers and small businesses in the Mezőség region of Transylvania, to Székely Land”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár) following a meeting with President of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) Hunor Kelemen at the party’s headquarters.

“Last year, one and a half billion forints (EUR 4.7 million) were awarded to the region’ farmers and businesses within the framework of the experimental Maros-Mezőség Economic Development Programme; 800 applications have been submitted so far this year and their adjudication is ongoing”, he said. “Next year’s budget will include 50 billion forints for economic development programmes, a significant amount of which will be distributed in Transylvania and Székely Land”, he added.

Mr. Szijjártó said he felt it was unfair that the Romanian party is for the moment showing no willingness to authorise the opening of the Hungarian cultural institute in Cluj-Napoca. In reply to a question from Hungarian news agency MTI, the Minister declared: “Hungary would be happy to support Romania if it wanted to open a cultural institute anywhere in Hungary”. “I would inspire the Romanians to open as many cultural institutes as possible in Hungary. We are somehow not experiencing this same approach on the part of our Romanian colleagues”, he said.

During his visit to Bucharest, he once again asked Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu to give his support to the establishment of the Hungarian cultural institute in Cluj-Napoca, he added, noting that the topic will not be taken off the agenda of bilateral relations.

Mr. Szijjártó said he thought it was natural that during his visit to Romania he is also holding talks with representatives of Transylvanian Hungarian advocacy groups, because government policy with relation to cross-border Hungarians is developed in accordance with what the representatives of cross-border Hungarians expect from the Hungarian Government.

The Minister said he feels it is important for the two countries to construct joint success stories, because it is these that can create a foundation of trust based on which sensitive issues may also be raised with a hope of finding a solution.

He said it was favourable that progress had been successfully been made on a few issues with relation to which “many wouldn’t have bet a dime”. Of these, he highlighted the reopening of the Ferenc Rákóczi II Roman Catholic Gymnasium in Târgu Mureș (Marosvásárhely).

RMDSZ President Hunor Kelemen told the press that during the meeting the parties had reviewed problematic issues, adding that the best thing for Transylvanian Hungarians is if there is continuous dialogue between Romania and Hungary.

Mr. Kelemen said that in his opinion the strategic partnership between the two countries must be reinforced, and the parties must strive to develop a relationship of trust.

During his programme in Cluj-Napoca, Mr. Szijjártó also held talks with Hungarian businesspeople. In the evening, he will be attending a working lunch with the leaders of Transylvania’s historic Churches.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)