Hungary will not lose a single forint in EU funding, says Lazar

(MTI) – Hungary will not lose a single forint in European Union development funds, and this also applies to the financial framework ending in 2013, Janos Lazar, the head of the prime minister’s office, said on Monday.

Hungary has so far received 1,507 billion forints (EUR 5bn) worth of European Union subsidies for its 14 ongoing operative programmes, and payments are expected to be near 1,600 billion forints by the end of the year. Hungary has not over the past few years achieved a comparable success within the EU’s institutional system, he added.

To accelerate processes, ministries and the prime minister’s office will be asked to urge the payment of 2,000 billion forints in 2014 in order for Hungary to fully draw down its 2007-2013 funding.

Hungary has outlined support for 8,900 billion forints worth of projects, over the 8,200 billion earmarked, and the National Development Agency has invited bids for every single one, Lazar said, praising the work of the development ministry, agency and the government.

He noted that the national development agency would terminate its activities as of Jan. 1. and a new model would start operating under the aegis of the relevant ministries with central coordination at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Photo: Karoly Arvai

Source: http://hungarymatters.hu/