The Hungarian authorities have shared that the country has agreed with Slovakia to expand the number of border crossing points between the two countries.
As part of this move, Hungary and Slovakia will plan the construction of three new bridges and four new connecting roads, which will make it easier and more hassle-free for travellers to move from one country to another, Schengen.News reports.
Commenting on the opening of the second chapter of the agreement on expanding the number of border crossings, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, said that the two countries want to ensure that Europe’s longest border connects rather than divides.
Minister Szijjártó further noted that the addition of new border crossing points is good for everyone, especially for those who live in southern Slovakia, as well as for the economies of both nations.
This is good for everyone; it’s good for Hungarians, for Slovaks, for those living in southern Slovakia, for the two economies. Therefore, a decision was made today to open the second chapter agreement on increasing the number of border crossing points.
In the past, the 654km border between Hungary and Slovakia had only 22 crossing points. Under the agreement reached before between the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, and his Slovak counterpart, Robert Fico, the border now has 40 crossing points.
1 Bridge Will Be Built to Accommodate Pedestrians & Cyclists
As Minister Szijjártó explained, a total of three new bridges will be built to link Hungary and Slovakia. One of these bridges will be opened at Dunakiliti to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, making it easier for them to cross the border.
Another bridge will be built in the Esztergom area to serve freight traffic, and a third one will be built on the river Tisza at Cierna.
In addition to the above-mentioned, Minister Szijjártó disclosed that the M2 motorway will be extended northwards. Moreover, an additional three roads will be built, and a number of older border crossings will be renovated.
Regarding rail traffic, the Minister said that new train services will be launched with the aim of facilitating cross-border traffic between Hungary and Slovakia.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening cross-border rescue and healthcare cooperation.
It’s clearly in our interest to sign a new agreement on cross-border rescue and health-care cooperation so that those living in the border regions receive the most urgent and highest-quality care possible when they need it.
The Minister further noted that the Hungarian authorities will do everything on their part to make this happen.