[ad_1]
Hungary, investments in Romania! The first ski slope equipped with a chairlift in the Harghita Mountains in Vărşag was inaugurated on Monday, carried out with the financial support of the Hungarian state, DCNews reports, citing Hirado. At the opening ceremony, Árpád János Potápi, Secretary of State for National Policies of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Chancellery, spoke about the connection of the ski slopes in these mountains. The dignitary also discussed creating a coherent ski slope system.
Hungary, massive investments: offered a grant of 1.18 million euros for the track
The ski slope, with a length of 1,050 meters and a drop of 161 meters, is equipped with a two-seater chairlift, a ratrack for the maintenance of the slope, 5 snow cannons. Likewise, the slope, of medium difficulty, has a water supply basin of 8,000 cubic meters and a system of pipes. The association “Székelyvarság Négyévszakos Sí és Túraközpont”, which carried out the slope, obtained a grant of 420 million florins (1.18 million euros). The grant comes from the Secretary of State for National Policies of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery. The alpine ski champion Edit Miklós, originally from Miercurea Ciuc, former president of the Hungarian Ski Federation, was also consulted on the realization of the slope.
At the opening ceremony, Árpád János Potápi said that Hungary’s Finance Minister Mihály Varga supported the initiative of the locals. Therefore, several investments were made in Varsag. The Secretary of State said a long-term goal could be to connect isolated ski resorts in the Harghita Mountains. He gave as an example the ski slopes of Băile Harghita and Harghita-Mădăraş, which would lead to the Ciuc and Vărşag Depression. This will create a unique ski slope system in the region.
In his speech, Ernő Tamás, mayor of Vărşag commune, said that the mountain town has managed to attract tourists so far. According to the mayor, the current investment makes the commune attractive even in the winter season, not just in summer.
A controversial strategy: Hungary, massive investments in Romania
In October 2020, Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs, announced that the Hungarian government will expand a Transylvanian economic development program in almost all of western Romania. It had only taken place in Szeklerland.
But the investment plans in our country Hungary are a little older. The National Unity Strategy, adopted by Hungary in 2011, aims to bring together Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin. The 2016 Kos Karoly Plan outlined Transylvania’s economic development priorities.
Hungarian investments of 1 billion euros / year in Romania
According to a calculation made by Free Europe, Hungarian investments in Transylvania exceed one billion euros / year. The amount also includes money for culture, health and education. Budapest pays from farmland and schools to health facilities and stadiums. In 2019 alone, Hungary has invested € 75 million in Romania in agricultural activities.
These investments are made solely on the basis of a verbal agreement with some Romanian politicians. Péter Szijjártó says that his country has invested money in Romania with a “verbal agreement” from former minister Teodor Melescanu. In May 2020, however, Bogdan Aurescu, the current foreign minister, requested an official agreement.
CONTINUATION OF THE ARTICLE ON THE NEXT PAGE
