The signing ceremony was held at the Sisak Diocese offices where the Hungarian guests were welcomed by Bishop Vlado Košić. He said that the diocese would prepare all the necessary documents and plans for the new church in Žažina.
A State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Tomislav Paljak, signed the documents on behalf of the Croatian government, noting that cooperation with the Hungarians proved that friends in need were friends indeed.
"Hungary has proved to be a country with a big heart. Valuable donations have been arriving from that country but this one is the largest. The new school building in Petrinja, to be located close to the old damaged one, will be built according to the highest pedagogical standards and the county, as its founder, will make all the necessary preparations," said Paljak, thanking the Hungarian government and people.
The State Secretary for Public Administration in the Hungarian government, Csaba Balogh, expressed condolences to the families of the earthquake victims and the entire nation, noting that it was normal for neighbours to jump in and help.
He added that the Hungarian government had entrusted the Hungarian Ecumenical Charity with implementing the project.
Ecumenical Charity president László Lehel explained that the modern school will have 20 classrooms, nine of which will be for grade classes. The 3,000- square-metre school will include a sports hall measuring 1,500 square metres and outdoor courts.
Hungary's Ambassador to Croatia Csaba Demcsák signed the documents on behalf of the Hungarian government.