Orbán visits Vojvodina – Photos – Update

Budapest, April 13 (MTI) – A Hungarian government programme aimed at boosting the economy of Vojvodina province, in northern Serbia, marks the start of a new era, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Subotica (Szabadka) on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference after meeting leaders of the local ethnic Hungarian VMSZ party, Orbán said the 50 billion forint (EUR 160.7m) scheme would equally benefit Serbia, its Hungarian community, Hungary and the European Union.

Commenting on Serbia’s upcoming elections, Orbán encouraged ethnic Hungarians to support VMSZ, which he referred to as a “predictable force and the guarantee of a safe future” for Vojvodina Hungarians.

Before the press conference, Orbán signed the first contract of the scheme with local entrepreneur Gyöngyi Rekettye, who had won funding for farming development.

Launching of the economic programme has been a “milestone in building a nation”, VMSZ leader István Pásztor told the press conference.

Pásztor said that the two-year plan consisted of a loan programme worth 30 billion forints, while the remaining 20 billion would be distributed as grants. A total 2,413 entrepreneurs have submitted bids in the first phase of the programme, but added that tenders for the second phase were already under way, he added.