Hungary proposed giving special emphasis to five areas, including an evaluation of the 6th environmental action program and the preparation of the next such program, sustainable development, climate change, water management and biological diversity, Kling said.

The three countries proposed altogether 21 areas to make priorities when they share the EU presidency.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Balázs told his Indian counterpart Hungary would give special attention to the strategic partnership of the European Union and India when it take the rotating EU presidency, winding up an official visit to India.

The development of the partnership "will be one of the cornerstones of the EU trio presidency's Asia policy", the ministry said.

Balázs met with India's Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna and state minister for trade and industry J Scindia during his visit to India.

He also held talks at TATA Consultancy Services in New Delhi. Company heads confirmed they see Hungary as a base in the European Union.

TATA Consultancy Services, employs about 700 people in Budapest, where it has a global service center. The head of the Indian company signaled to Balázs that the Budapest staff would more than double, the ministry said. (MTI-ECONEWS)