Janša, Orban see minorities as a bridge for cooperation

After the first agreement on protection and cooperation in the development of the Slovenian minority in Hungary and the Hungarian in Slovenia was signed almost 30 years ago, the agreement signed today will upgrade this cooperation with a very concrete document, Janša said.

In the next five years, EUR 5 million will be allocated for the development of the minorities on both sides of the border.

Janša stressed that trade between Slovenia and Hungary had increased by almost 20% in the past year, which showed that businesses on both sides of the border had discovered untapped potential.

"I can say that the potential is significantly higher and that in the future we will gladly upgrade and use it," Janša said.

He highlighted concrete steps made towards connecting the energy systems of both countries, cooperation in infrastructure projects and enhanced economic cooperation and trade between the countries.

Hungary is currently seventh most important trade partner of Slovenia and Janša believes that the economic and other types of cooperation could enhance further, as Slovenia and Hungary are two neighbouring countries and because economic ties between them bring double benefit.

Orban said that the agreement signed today was not important only because of its contents, which was very important for those living on the border, but also because it would benefit all Hungarians and all Slovenians and strengthen friendship between the countries.