Orbán signs Modern Cities cooperation with Socialist mayor of Szeged

Szeged, January 30 (MTI) – Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signed a cooperation agreement under the government’s Modern Cities scheme with László Botka, Socialist mayor of Szeged, in southern Hungary, on Monday.

Orbán said after the signing ceremony that Szeged had “all the potential to become an outstanding regional centre” and he wished the city “as much success as it is entitled to in light of its history”.

Botka said that the partnership was aimed at making maximum use of European Union funding, which he called a “fundamental national cause”.

Concerning his talks with the prime minister, Botka said that they had discussed plans for 19 development projects in his city on top of 104 investment schemes already under way.

Under the partnership agreement, the government will provide assistance to such projects as upgrading highway 47, development of the Szeged-Mako railway line and Szeged’s airport, construction of a food processing plant, a bridge, an industrial park and several sports complexes. The government will also provide assistance to a switch-over to electricity in the city’s public transport system.