An agreement has been reached between the Hungarian and Croatian governments that the latter will provide the amount needed to pay the VAT for the HUF 8 billion (EUR 20.7 million) reconstruction of the Petrinja Primary School, materializing with Hungarian assistance, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“Today, I had a telephone conversation with Branko Bacic, Croatia’s Minister of Construction, whose personal involvement – like that of Róbert Jankovics, the Hungarian nationality representative – was indispensable in settling the matter. Based on our agreement, there are no obstacles to the continuation of construction, so the 20-classroom school and its gymnasium can be completed this year,” the Minister wrote.
Péter Szijjártó recalled that Hungary, as a neighboring country, was one of the first to offer its help after the earthquake that struck Croatia in 2020 to ensure the fastest possible reconstruction. In addition to the government, Hungarian oil and gas company MOL and other domestic companies investing in Croatia, as well as churches and NGOs, were quick to help the neighboring country.
As part of the assistance, the Hungarian government has pledged to build a new school to replace the destroyed Petrinja Primary School, for which a donation of more than HUF 8 billion (EUR 20.7 million) has been offered.
However, a major problem was that the rebuilding would have involved paying VAT. The issue could not be resolved for a long time, but persistent negotiations led to a result, thus the VAT, amounting to EUR 4.1 million, will be covered by the Croatian government.
Around 12.20 p.m. on 29 December 2020, an earthquake of magnitude 6.4 hit central Croatia, with an epicenter located roughly 3 km west-southwest of Petrinja. The earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, the strongest of which had a magnitude of 4.9. The adversely affected areas were mostly in the Sisak-Moslavina County and other nearby Croatian counties, as well as some of the nearby areas of Bosnia and Slovenia. Seven people were confirmed dead, while 26 others were injured, with six having serious injuries. Initial reports showed many buildings destroyed in Petrinja. The mayor of Petrinja, Darinko Dumbović, said that half of the town has been destroyed.
Via MTI, Featured photo via Facebook/Péter Szijjártó
