Barroso said the European Commission supports Hungary’s efforts for social and economic progress. Expressing thanks to the EC president for having addressed the Monday session of Parliament, Sólyom assured Barroso that Hungary would come up to its EU obligations and duly implement its euro convergence program. Barroso emphasized the need to carry out further reforms in Hungary during a meeting with Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány in Budapest on Monday afternoon, the prime minister’s office told MTI. The prime minister said that support by the governing parties would provide him an appropriate political background for pursuing a policy of reforms which he continues to implement. Barroso and Gyurcsány also dealt with Hungary’s progress towards joining the Schengen zone. The prime minister said Hungary insisted on joining the zone in 2007 as scheduled. (MTI, Népszabadság)



