Infrastructure cooperation highlights Slovenian-Hungarian strategic ties

The Hungarian and Slovenian governments mulled laying the foundations for strategic economic relations with a series of potential infrastructure projects, as a joint government session was held on Friday at Brdo pri Kranju near Ljubljana.

Both countries expressed willingness to enhance economic relations and agreed that they will initiate the strategic economic cooperation with construction on electrified-rail roads, highway, highvoltage electricity transmission and many others in plenty of untapped potential.

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar and his visiting Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban shared the same view in the joint press conference after their meeting, the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) reported.

"Economic exchange is currently at a good level, but it falls short of being strategic. We want to go beyond just good cooperation," said Orban.

Cerar said the debate examined ways for "enhancing ties across a whole range of fields", including infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and forestry.

The meeting identified projects in infrastructure, including in the development of the second rail track between the Port of Koper and the hub of Divaca, as a key driver of stronger economic ties, said the STA report.

The sole Slovenian maritime port is the main maritime gateway for Hungary, handling over three-quarters of its container transshipment. Orban confirmed his country has an interest in seeing a new track built in Slovenia to ensure sufficient throughput.

Hungary reaffirmed Friday its interest in participating in the project, for which Slovenia has begun to solicit interest from neighbours and other potential investors in recent weeks.

The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Comprehensive Development of Relations in Infrastructure with which they confirmed interest in participating in a series of joint project in rail and road transport.

At the meeting, government officials also signed accords on cooperation in education and science, minor modifications to the border due to regulation of Ledava creek, and an agreement on the exchange of classified information.

Orban and Cerar expressed satisfaction with what was the third joint session of the cabinets since 2007 and the first since 2009, assessing that it hails a new era in cooperation. Enditem