The agreement was signed at the proposal of Varaždin, Međimurje, Krapina-Zagorje, Bjelovar-Bilogora and Koprivnica-Križevci counties. Of the HRK 15.2 billion, to be used for the implementation of 38 projects in the five counties, common infrastructure projects amount to HRK 9.2 billion, while the total value of county projects, including back-up projects, is 5.9 billion. The cost of project documentation is HRK 65.5 million.
The agreement was signed by Deputy PM Davor Božinović and ministers Marija Vučković, Nataša Tramišak, Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Nikolina Brnjac, Oleg Butković, Darko Horvat, Vili Beroš and Radovan Fuchs and the heads of the five northwestern counties - Anđelko Stričak of Varaždin County, Matija Posavec of Međimurje County, Željko Kolar of Krapina-Zagorje County, Darko Koren of Koprivnica-Križevci County, and Marko Marušić of Bjelovar-Bilogora County.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the agreement was part of the government's programme and was important both regionally and nationally.
"We have democracy, the state and its institutions, and after EU membership our goal is to contribute to the economic development and higher living standards of our citizens across Croatia," Plenković said, adding that using national and EU funding and public companies' money would be a priority in the period to come.
Recalling the adoption of the National Development Strategy and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan as well the adoption of the development programme for northern Croatia in the current time of the coronavirus pandemic, Plenković said it proved that despite the crisis, the focus was on the future.
"The development average of the five counties is between 41 and 57% of the EU average. Varaždin County is the most developed and the biggest. That is why we are here to underline the central role of that northern Croatian county," Plenković said.
Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Nataša Tramišak said that the agreement defined clear strategic and capital projects that were expected to significantly enhance competitiveness as well as the quality of life of people in the north of Croatia, and that over the past few months it had been determined that most of those projects referred to transport and mobility.
"There are also projects concerning educational infrastructure, health infrastructure, and the restoration of cultural heritage to enable development of sustainable tourism, as well as other economic projects that will certainly change the quality of life in the north of Croatia," the minister said.
She added that the plan for the industrial transition of the country's north had already been completed and that a framework for the green and digital transition of economy was being planned so that along with large public and strategic projects, local businesses, too, could have access to funding from European sources.
Varaždin County head Stričak said that projects in his county were worth close to HRK 1.5 billion.
"Significant funds, amounting to €100 million, are envisaged for the regional economy under the Industrial Transition Plan as well," he said.
Text: Hina