Katalin Novák highlighted that the stability of the Western Balkans is a guarantee of stability for Europe.Continue reading
Hungary is launching a new HUF 6.5 billion support program in Bosnia and Herzegovina from August 1, under which farmers will be able to buy Hungarian agricultural equipment, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced.
He stressed in the administrative center of the Republika Srpska (one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina) that Europe is facing the most serious security and economic challenges of the past decades and that further crises should be avoided.
“We Hungarians are in a special geographical situation, with Ukraine as our neighbor to the east and the Western Balkans to the south. Therefore, if anyone, we understand exactly how important it is to have peace and stability in the Western Balkans,” the Minister stated.
That is why we will give you all the support we can to ensure that you can live in peace and stability in the Western Balkans,”
he added.
He said that this consists of a continuous dialogue based on mutual respect and economic development.
Péter Szijjártó said that this was particularly important today, when the European Union needs the region more than the other way around, as it is virtually the only growth opportunity for the community, both territorially and economically.
He reiterated his call to speed up EU enlargement, which he said was not making any progress despite all the declarations of support.
“It is absolutely clear to us that there is no stability in the Western Balkans without stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And since we are very close to you, both geographically and physically,
it is in our national interest to have peace and tranquillity here,”
he highlighted.
He underlined that Hungary is also contributing to this by developing the local economy, which is why the government has announced a support program that is good for both the Republika Srpska and the Hungarian economy.
In the first round of this program, HUF 4 billion (EUR 10 million) was granted to 768 farmers to purchase HUF 6.5 billion (EUR 17 million) worth of Hungarian-made agricultural machinery and equipment.
“This was a successful tender and it was a good decision to start. After all, agriculture in the Republic of Srpska is developing. Moreover, Hungarian machinery companies have gained another very important export market opportunity,” he pointed out.
“I am therefore pleased to announce that on the basis of the agreement with the President,
the Hungarian government will launch a new HUF 6.5 billion (EUR 17 million) support program from August 1, under which agricultural entrepreneurs here will be able to purchase equipment and machinery from Hungarian manufacturers for agricultural production and processing of crops.”
“Each purchase will be subsidized at a rate of 70 percent, up to EUR 25,000 per purchase,” the Minister concluded.
Via MTI, Featured photo via Facebook/Szijjártó Péter