We brought Hungary and Slovakia closer together today: we handed over the new Ipoly bridge. This day is a holiday from the point of view of transport, job creation, economy and tourism, said the regional KDNP parliamentarian at the opening ceremony of the new Ipoly bridge built between Ipolydamásd and Slovak Helemba on Friday.
The parliamentary state secretary of the Ministry of the Interior explained: “Fortunately, we are in an era when more and more bridges can be built between the two countries, not only physically, but also figuratively. We proved once again that much more unites us than divides us. The new Ipoly bridge is a real, everyday connection for relatives living on both sides of the border, and those who drive here can now count on shorter journey times and crossings.”
Bence Rétvári emphasized at the bridge inauguration – where Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Peter Dovhun, Minister of Economy of Slovakia, and Branislav Becík, President of Nyitra County – gave speeches – that it is extremely important in the daily lives of the people living in the 34 settlements of the region – including the 17,000 inhabitants of the Sobi district the opening of the new bridge. “More than a century ago, there were 47 bridges on the Ipoly, now there are 12, of which four are on the border section, today the number of these will be one more to the satisfaction of all of us,” he said.
The representative of the region’s parliament added: the new bridge will connect people living on both sides of the river, stimulate economic relations, and bring a boom in tourism, which can be one of the region’s driving forces.
The Deputy Minister of the Interior underlined the development of historical importance by placing it in an international perspective: two Central European countries, Hungary and Slovakia, have demonstrated how usefully and well they can use the jointly obtained European Union funds. “This positive example justifies the fact that these countries will have unimpeded access to EU funds in the future,” he said.
In accordance with the goals of the establishment of the European Union, he explained: its most important mission is to build bridges between countries and nations, both physically and figuratively.
– When in Europe, due to external migration pressure, border controls are reinstated from Denmark to Austria, then we build bridges and make the borders more passable. We are happy that the two Central European countries can set an example to the many countries of the Union, that this is the way to build bridges, this is the way to bring two countries closer to each other – said Bence Rétvári, who says that we can say that Slovakia and Hungary have much more in common, as what separates it.
– We are confident that the new Ipoly bridge built between Ipolydamásd and Helemba will be a real, everyday connection for many, and those coming from further away will be able to cross from one side to the other without detours, many, many ten minutes or half an hour faster – said Rétvári The words of Bence, who at the end of his celebratory speech thanked the specialists who contributed to the construction of the bridge, all those who helped to implement the development of great importance.
After the festive speeches, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, Peter Dovhun, Minister of Economy of Slovakia, Bence Rétvári, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, representative of the region, Branislav Becík, President of Nyitra County, Tibor Csenger, Vice President of Nyitra County Municipality, Ferenc Rományik, Ipolydamásd mayor, and Gergely Izrael, mayor of Helemba, inaugurated the Károly Róbert bridge rising above the Pole by cutting the Hungarian and Slovak national ribbons.
Imre Vetési
Photo: KesziPress and Csaba Szabó
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