After Long Debates, Agreement Reached on EEA and Norway Grants for Hungary
More than 214 million euros in European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants will be made available to Hungary under agreements signed with the representatives of donor countries Norway, Iceland, and Lichtenstein on Monday, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (ITM) announced. The Grants, a part of which is due for civil society, had been long in the middle of domestic and international debates after the Hungarian government wanted greater control.
According to the agreement, EUR 214.6 million has been allocated to Hungary.
Hungary will benefit from EEA and Norway Grants funding for a third funding period, ITM told MTI. Counting the government’s 11 billion forint contribution to the grants, Hungary will have access to more than 86 billion forints’ worth of development funds, the Ministry added.
Last week saw officials from Slovenia and Norway sign an agreement to distribute funds to promote social and economic development in Slovenia.
The deal will see some EUR 26.9 million sent to Slovenia via Norway Grants and the EEA. In addition to the development of the Slovenian economy, the fund will be put toward strengthening Norwegian-Slovenian bilateral relations, with emphasis going on environmental policies, public health and civil issues.
The document was signed on 10th May by Norwegian State Secretary Erik Lahnstein, as well as officials from Lichtenstein, Iceland and Slovenia, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo. Officials said the deal would involve co-operation between Norwegian and Slovenian public agencies in the effort of achieving its goals.