Széchenyi István University hosted the event titled "The Water We Desired" on the regional development of Szigetköz and Csallóköz, organised by the university in cooperation with the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the General Directorate of Water Management. At the event, the Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development, Dr Tibor Navracsics, stressed that only cooperation can lead to economic development.

The event, held on 27 June at the Bridge Student and Teacher Club on the banks of the Moson-Danube River on the campus of Széchenyi István University in Győr, Hungary, was dedicated to the astounding natural values of the Szigetköz region in Hungary and Csallóköz in Slovakia, and to the opportunities for cooperation in the development of the region. The event was held for the first time two years ago celebrating the completion of the engineered structure in the Mosoni-Duna estuary at Gönyű and presenting the results of the Insula Magna complex water management and sustainable development programme. Since then, the initiative has been working to raise awareness of the importance of the development of the Szigetköz-Csallóköz and to encourage economic and tourism investment focusing on the values of the region.

On behalf of the hosts of the event, Imre Pintér-Péntek, President of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the participants. He emphasised that Szigetköz and Csallóköz are the region's great treasures, the unity of which must be developed into a European standard tourist destination.

The hosts and guests of the event are committed to the regional cooperation between Szigetköz and Csallóköz. In the picture: József Németh, Director of the North Transdanubian Environmental Protection and Water Management Directorate, dr Natália Borsos-Papp, Deputy State Secretary for Strategy at the Ministry of Energy, and dr Martina Makai, Government Commissioner Advisor at the Ministry of Energy,  Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International and Strategic Relations of Széchenyi István University, Imre Pintér-Péntek, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Győr-Moson-Sopron County, Dr Gábor Czepek, Government Commissioner for the Development of Hungarian-Slovak Energy Infrastructure, Sándor Széles, County Government Commissioner of Győr-Moson-Sopron, Dr Judit Bertalan, Government Commissioner for the Complex Development of the Economic Development Zone of Northwest Hungary, István Láng, Director General of the General Directorate of Water Management, Dr Katalin Mezei, Head of the Department of Regional Science and Rural Development at the Széchenyi István University, and Dr Péter Holicza, Deputy State Secretary for European Union Affairs and International Relations at the Ministry of Energy. (Photo: András Adorján)

We need to develop a culture of cooperation

Dr Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development, gave a presentation on " The functional relations and cooperation opportunities in the western part of the Hungarian-Slovak border region".  "In the future we can no longer pursue a development policy that is solely based on competition among settlements and regions. We need to develop a culture of cooperation” he said. He added that signs of this are already emerging and that there are very promising attempts to continue in the twin regions of the Szigetköz and the Szallóköz and its wider urban neighbourhoods.

 Dr Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development (Photo: Széchenyi István University)

The minister also pointed to the economic sucking power of the three capitals in the region - Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava - highlighting the very strong impact this phenomenon has on the structure of the local economy, the labour market, public life and cultural opportunities. "This is another factor that speaks in favour of regional cooperation, as Győr or Mosonmagyaróvár alone may not be able to stand its ground in a region in such a strong vacuum," he added.

Dr Tibor Navracsics also referred to the above-average economic performance of the Győr-Moson-Sopron county, in which Győr has a huge role to play. He explained that the city's role as a regional organiser needs to be strengthened, which requires committed partners. According to the minister, a north-western Hungarian cooperation along the Győr-Mosonmagyaróvár axis in the Szigetköz could form an excellent basis for cooperation between the regions.

"The topics are self-evident: strengthening the local economy and identity along with creating jobs, improving transport conditions, institutional partnership and creating conditions for livability. This is community building in a broader sense," he said. He stated that "Our ministry has all the tools to deliver an effective territorial development policy. If the local authorities in the region can find a common voice and build cooperation, Szigetköz and Csallóköz can look forward to an even stronger economic future."

Let's harness the assets of Szigetköz

Sándor Széles, County Government Commissioner of Győr-Moson-Sopron County, spoke of the region as a true lover of Szigetköz. He emphasised that the county is in a unique position in the country, as it is home to countless natural treasures. "The question is how we want to manage these assets. The last thirty years have proven that we have the will and the people here want to use these resources," he said. He lauded the cooperation between the Széchenyi István University and the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which aims to ensure that the region can use the Szigetköz's assets without destroying or exploiting them.

Sándor Széles, County Government Commissioner of Győr-Moson-Sopron County (Photo: András Adorján)

Good progress in negotiations on the issue of Bős-Nagymaros

At the event, Dr. Gábor Czepek, Hungarian-Slovak Government Commissioner for Energy Infrastructure Development, presented the Ministry of Energy's focus areas on "Energy challenges and opportunities in the Carpathian Basin and Szigetköz”. As one of the commissioners responsible for the Bős-Nagymaros issue, he said that negotiations with the Slovak government are progressing well. "I believe that before the end of this year or the beginning of next year, both governments will be able to agree on the principles on the basis of which this issue can be resolved, focusing on modern water management, ecological integrity and electricity issues," he said. He noted that the parties have completed three rounds of negotiations and have reached partial agreements on substantive issues.

The Government Commissioner also mentioned the Insula Magna programme, thanking the participants, such as the Széchenyi István University, the Institute of Advanced Studies in Kőszeg, the county of Győr-Moson-Sopron, the city of Győr and the surrounding municipalities, for their persistent work. "The Ministry of Energy considers this programme important and supports its implementation," he said. He explained that the Hungarian government is committed to ensuring that the development of Hungary and Europe's most beautiful inland delta is uninterrupted and that Szigetköz-Csallóköz can be a well-functioning unit in tourism, economically and even socially. "We can assure that we will oil the wheels to make this project a success," he concluded.

Dr Gábor Czepek, Hungarian-Slovak Government Commissioner for Energy Infrastructure Development (Photo: András Adorján)

Tastes of the Szigetköz-Sallóköz

Gergő Lőrincz, head of the Career Guidance and Marketing Centre of Széchenyi István University, presented the publication titled "Gastronomic Map - Food and Stories from the Szigetköz and Csallóköz Region", prepared by the institution as part of the Insula Magna project. "We have created it with the aim of presenting the gastronomy of the region, its defining and iconic dishes through its local ingredients and producers. The Gastronomy Map includes small producers and restaurants from 26 municipalities in the Szigetköz and Csallóköz regions," he said.

Gergő Lőrincz, Head of the Career Guidance and Marketing Centre of Széchenyi István University (Photo: András Adorján)