Hiller and Gráf agreed that their ministries would follow common guidelines and coordinate programmes planned as part of the New Hungary Development Plan, Hungary's framework for paying out funding during the 2007-2013 EU budgetary period. The ministries will also work together to set up multi-functional community facilities as well as modernise libraries and schools in Hungary's smallest villages. Economic development projects will be supported if they serve to preserve local traditions and handcrafts. All of the developments must be sustainable, the ministers said.
More than HUF 200 billion will be available for rural development projects between 2007 and 2013, the ministers said. There will be HUF 30 billion for establishing integrated public spaces, HUF 30 billion for preserving rural heritage, nearly HUF 110 billion for the development of economy and services and HUF 74 billion for the Leader Programme.
Gráf said the Ministry of Agriculture was responsible for helping the establishment of new facilities but it was the task of other ministries to assist with their operation.
Hiller said cultural developments in the countryside was one of the central themes of the government's cultural strategy recently debated in Parliament. He added that funding in this area would grow in the next seven years from the HUF 100 billion currently allocated each year for cultural expenses, including wage costs.
