Speaking about the duties of the upcoming Hungarian EU presidency, Orban said a top priority is introducing the practice of preliminary EU consultations on national budget plans and treaty amendments in the interest of co-ordinating economic policies.

Barroso expressed pleasure that Hungarian and EU strategies dovetail, pointing to such priorities as energy security, the furthering of relations with East European countries, further expansion, a Danube strategy, and an effective regional policy.

The EU will face a crucial period in the first half of 2011 when Hungary holds the EU presidency, he remarked

Orban also mentioned the drafting of an EU Roma policy, the treatment of demographic and family policies at EU level, helping Croatia’s accession to the EU and the enlargement of the Schengen Zone as important tasks.

Orban assured his audience that domestic politics will not hamper Hungary’s EU presidency, as his cabinet has a two-thirds majority. The biggest opposition party has also committed itself to the success of the EU presidency, he added.

He expressed confidence that the cabinet will be able to react to unexpected developments in due time and with due power.

Barroso said he is convinced that Hungary will be able to keep its finances under successful control and adjust its public finance deficit.

Orban said Hungary no longer belongs among those EU member states that are in a very difficult position, thanks to the reform policy of the past few months.

Earlier Wednesday Orban and European Council President Herman van Rompuy discussed the priorities of the Hungarian EU presidency and preparations for an EU summit in December. "

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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