Serbia and Hungary agree on cooperation in four areas under IPA program - Projects valued at EUR 50 million

Officials of Vojvodina and Hungarian counties Bacs-Kiskun and Csongrad determined on Tuesday the thematic areas in which they will have joint projects to compete for the funds of the Hungary-Serbia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Program, which is financed by the EU with around EUR 50 million.

Milivoj Vrebalov, deputy speaker of the Vojvodina parliament, stated that the regions intended to harmonize and implement the projects which can make the best use of cross-border cooperation opportunities and benefit the citizens, said the Media Relations Bureau of the provincial government.

- Nearly EUR 50 million is at our disposal, and we want to spend this money on good and sustainable projects and programs - Vrebalov said, adding that a working group of the three regions has harmonized four out of 11 areas that the EU has recommended.

The goal is to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and companies engaged in agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, and support economic sectors with a low emission of carbon dioxide.

Next meetings will focus on concrete projects to compete for grants, Vrebalov said.

Representatives of the Vojvodina parliament and government and counties Bacs-Kiskun and Csongrad also discussed a number of propositions and ideas such as reconstruction of canals and levees to prevent river flooding, joint projects focusing on anti-hail protection, renewable energy sources, development of tourism on the Tisa and Danube Rivers, and others.