(MTI) – The European Commission on Friday said it had adopted a Partnership Agreement with Hungary on the strategy for using European Union funding.
The agreement sets down “the strategy for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment Funds throughout the country”, paving the way for investing 21.9 billion euros in Cohesion Policy funding over 2014-2020, the EC said.
Hungary is also receiving 3.45 billion euros for rural development and 39 million for fisheries and the maritime sector, it added.
“The EU investments will help tackle unemployment and boost competitiveness and economic growth through support to innovation, training and education in cities, towns and rural areas. They will also promote entrepreneurship, fight social exclusion and help to develop an environmentally friendly and a resource-efficient economy,” the EC said.
Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn called the agreement “a vital, strategic investment plan that sets Hungary on the path to jobs and growth for the next 10 years”.
“[The agreement] gives strategic direction to future programmes that will enhance innovation, contribute to transforming Hungary’s SMEs to become more competitive and internationally integrated, and boost Hungary’s growing reputation in promoting research and technical development projects,” he added.
Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Laszlo Andor offered his congratulations and thanked Hungarian authorities for their cooperation in preparing the agreement over the past couple of years.
“Hungary needs to make good use of EU Structural and Investment Funds in line with the Europe 2020 objectives, including the fight against poverty. EU funds should help creating an investment friendly environment, developing sustainable economic activity and building an inclusive society,” Andor said.
Nandor Csepreghy, deputy state secretary at the prime minister’s office, told MTI on Friday that the European Commission and the government were set to sign the Partnership Agreement in early September. Csepreghy added that Prime Minister Viktor Orban would likely sign the agreement on behalf of Hungary.
Csepreghy said the EC’s approval of the document was a “very serious achievement”, and thanks to government measures in development policy.
Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters
