Border: Hungary-Slovenia
Date(s) of establishment: 1919 - 1990 (current demarcation)Length of border: 102 km
Regions concerned: Slovenia: Pomurska
Hungary: Zala, Vas
European programme(s):
- Cross-Border Operational Programme 'Slovenia - Hungary'
Website of the programme
The programme on the Inforegio website
This border links the north-east of Slovenia and the south-west of Hungary. It runs from the tripoint formed by the borders between Austria, Slovenia and Hungary in the north to the tripoint between Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia in the south.
History:
Established in the 19th century, the territory of today’s Slovenia had passed from hand to hand following the invasions of neighbouring powers, before being incorporated into the Habsburg Empire in the 14th century. The transformation of the empire into Austria-Hungary (1867) left the territory on the Austrian side, maintaining the internal (Austro-Hungarian) border at the river Mur (Mura).
Following the First World War and the dissolution of the empire, the Slovenian territory was incorporated into what would become the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. In 1920, the new border between Hungary and the Slovenian part of Yugoslavia was established some 20km north of the former Austro-Hungarian border, with the micro-region of Prekmurje passing to the Slovenian side (2/3 of the today’s administrative region of Pomurska).
After the turmoil of the Second World War, the Hungarian-Slovenian border was re-established in 1945, and became the external border of the Warsaw Pact – a closely monitored border. Hungary left the bloc in 1989, and Slovenia followed suit, breaking away from Yugoslavia to become an independent state in 1991.
Relations between the new state and Hungary have been excellent since the beginning, all the more so because the newly independent Slovenia formally recognised two indigenous minority groups – Hungarians and Italians. Despite their small number, these two communities are each represented by a member in the Slovenian Parliament, and their respective languages enjoy co-official status in the micro-regions where they live.
Cross-border cooperation:
The Interreg IVA programme allocated funds to the two countries to encourage cross-border cooperation and exchanges. The programme aims to create better transport connections, in order to strengthen the unity of the cross-border region. Better transport infrastructure would also help to improve living and working conditions.
The eventful history of the two countries has left a legacy of numerous cultural differences within this cross-border region. This offers multiple opportunities, including in the field of sustainable development, which has not yet seen targeted initiatives. The programme aims therefore to strengthen cooperation at the regional and local levels so that eco-efficiency can become an asset in the cross-border economy.
