EGTC-Workshop 2015/1 (Kisvárda)

New perspectives for Hungarian EGTCs (European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation) – to become the key actors of cross-border economic development

The representatives of cross-border European Groupings for Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs) had a meeting with the Minister of National Development in Kisvárda on 29 May. On behalf of the EGTCs Richárd Hörcsik and György Popovics, president of the County Council Assembly of Komárom-Esztergom and co-president of the Rába–Duna–Vág EGTC presented the plans to Minister Miklós Seszták concerning the developments planned for the 7-year cycle.

The upcoming workshop of EGTCs with Hungarian involvement took place on 29 May 2015 organised by the Hungarian Development Center and the Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI). Attendees of the event were greeted by Mayor Tibor Leleszi on behalf of the Municipality of Kisvárda, the host of the meeting. Thenceforward Antal Kiss, Ministerial Commissioner of the Ministry of National Development summarised the main objective of the event, then Miklós Seszták, Minister of National Development made a speech to the participants. In a short presentation, secretary general of CESCI Gyula Ocskay presented the results achieved by the work of the EGTCs since the concerning government decision adopted in August 2010. Similarly to Antal Kiss he also commemorated István Pálfi, former Hungarian Member of the European Parliament, playing a key role in establishing the EU legal instrument and who deceased tragically young.

After the short presentation Member of the National Assembly Richárd Hörcsik made a brief welcome speech and jointly with president György Popovics handed the document to Minister Miklós Seszták in which 13 groupings with Hungarian involvement summarised the development vision planned to be put into action during the cycle 2014-2020. In his speech he called attention to the fact that a supportive attitude from the governments of neighbouring countries will be essential for the successful implementation of the plans.

Accepting the request of the originator EGTCs, in his conclusion Miklós Seszták assumed that with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, responsible for the area, they will jointly submit the proposal of decision to the government which would make EGTCs the key actors of cross-border economic development. This could be the decision by which on the Hungarian side the now presented plans of the EGTCs may be realised.