The Launching Conference of Interreg VI-A Romania – Hungary Programme was a real success. More than 100 stakeholders attended the event organized in Oradea, Romania, on Europe’s Day.
Organized by the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration (MDPWA), as Managing Authority, represented by H.E. the Minister of MDPWA, Mr Cseke Attila, the Conference was honoured by the presence of important guests, among which: H.E. the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Szijjártó Péter, H.E. the Hungarian Ambassador in Bucharest, Mr Zákonyi Botond, H.E. the Romanian Ambassador in Budapest, Mr Gabriel Șopandă, Romanian and Hungarian Governments’ representatives, as well as the representative of the European Commission, Mr Slawomir Tokarski, Director.
Local and regional relevant stakeholders in the programme area were among the distinguished participants: county council’s presidents and vice-presidents, the mayor of Oradea - hosting town of the event - Bihor County’s Prefect, General Director of the West Regional Development Agency, representatives of different institutions involved in European Programmes, current and future partners of Romania-Hungary Programmes.
The Conference was opened by the official speeches of the two representatives of the Romanian and Hungarian Governments and the representative of the European Commission, introduced by Mr Dan Bălănescu, the Head of the Managing Authority, followed by panel discussions concerning the context of cooperation between Romania and Hungary, facilitated by Ms Livia Banu, Executive Director of BRECO.
Subjects such as the reasons and scope for, the benefits of, and barriers to cooperation, or regarding capitalization, complementarities and synergies with other EU or national Programme, and the contributions to EU Macroregional Strategies of the Interreg Programmes have been tackled by the speakers: Ms Camelia Coporan, The General Director of European Territorial Cooperation within the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, Mr Dan Bălănescu, the Head of the Managing Authority, Mr Stefanik András, Head of Unit Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Viktor Oroszi, Coordinator of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region in Hungary, Mr Iustin Cionca, President of Arad County Council, Mr Gémes László, President of Csongrád-Csanád County Council, Mr Zalai Mihály President of Békés County Council, Mr Mircea Mălan, Vice-president of Bihor County Council, Mr Pajna Zoltán, President of Hajdú-Bihar County Council, Mr Seszták Oszkár, President of Szabolcs-Szatmár- Bereg County Council, Mr Pataki Csaba, President of Satu-Mare County Council, Ms Anna-Monika Modzelewska, Desk officer, DG Regio, Mr Sorin Maxim, General Director of West Region Development Agency and Mr Sławomir Tokarski Director, REGIO.D European Commission.
Technical details regarding new financing opportunities supported through the Programme were provided by Ms Monica Terean, the Head of the Joint Secretariat. The presentation included Programme’s main features: programme area, allocation, priorities and specific objectives, indicative actions to be supported, envisaged types of calls & projects, estimated calendar for launching the calls etc.
In the end, the guests had the opportunity to enjoy a unique pipe organ concert, performed by Mr Eduard Antal, in the Roman Catholic Cathedral, part of the Baroque Palace of Oradea complex.
The Interreg VI-A Romania-Hungary Programme Launching Conference was live-streamed on Facebook.
Many thanks to all those who attended the event, either in person or online!
