I arrived back to find a different sort of storm, domestic and international, over the Hungarian Government's new media legislation. Given the history and the widespread belief in the European Union that freedom of the media is at the core of a free society, this can have been no surprise to anyone.

We very much hope that the Government will resolve this issue satisfactorily and that it will not cast a shadow over the start of Hungary's EU Presidency - which we hope will be hugely successful in the face of the many serious problems now confronting Europe.

Hungary's official EU website is now up and running at http://www.eu2011.hu/. But you will also be able to follow the UK dimension of the Presidency on the relevant section of the British Embassy website at http://ukinhungary.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/working-with-hungary/eu-presidency/. In the meantime, may I wish you all a peaceful Christmas break. "

Source: blogs.fco.gov.uk