http://www.bbj.hu/politics/ Complete and independent daily business news from Hungary. en-us bbj@bbj.hu webmaster@bbj.hu PHP RSS Feed Generator European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban late Tuesday "comprehensive and constructive" and said Mr Orban had "indicated Hungary’s readiness to address swiftly the issues raised by the Commission" in a statement published on the European Union website. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/orban-says-meeting-with-barroso-was-constructive;-indicates-readiness-to-address-issues-swiftly_62489 2012-01-25T10:00:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/orban-says-meeting-with-barroso-was-constructive;-indicates-readiness-to-address-issues-swiftly_62489 The government of Sweden approved and ratified a ten-year extension of Hungary’s lease of Gripen fighter aircraft last week, daily Nepszabadsag said on Tuesday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/sweden-approves-10-year-extension-of-hungary-gripen-lease---paper_62472 2012-01-24T11:30:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/sweden-approves-10-year-extension-of-hungary-gripen-lease---paper_62472 The prime minister has accepted the resignation of Rural Development Ministry state secretary Jozsef Angyan, the ministry told MTI on Monday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/pm-accepts-resignation-of-farm-ministry-state-sec_62462 2012-01-24T09:25:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/pm-accepts-resignation-of-farm-ministry-state-sec_62462 European Commission Vice President Olli Rehn told Hungarian minister without portfolio Tamas Fellegi at talks on Friday that concrete steps by Hungary on the National Bank of Hungary’s independence and the judiciary are pre-conditions for the start of formal negotiations on financial assistance, Mr Rehn’s spokesman Amadeu Altafaj Tardio said. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/steps-on-central-bank-independence-judiciary-are-pre-conditions-for-formal-negotiations-rehn-says_62428 2012-01-20T16:00:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/steps-on-central-bank-independence-judiciary-are-pre-conditions-for-formal-negotiations-rehn-says_62428 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a radio interview early Friday that dealing with legislation the European Commission has objected to was "not an especially difficult matter", adding that the government had already taken a position on the matter and would "make proposals" that would not require an extraordinary session of Parliament. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/update---orban-says-eu-objections-to-legislation-not-difficult-to-resolve_62429 2012-01-20T15:55:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/update---orban-says-eu-objections-to-legislation-not-difficult-to-resolve_62429 Prime Minister Viktor Orban reaffirmed Hungary’s solidarity with Austria after a meeting on Friday with Austrian Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/orban-reaffirms-solidarity-between-hungary-and-austria_62426 2012-01-20T15:55:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/orban-reaffirms-solidarity-between-hungary-and-austria_62426 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a radio interview early Friday that dealing with legislation the European Commission has objected to was "not an especially difficult matter", adding that the government had already taken a position on the matter and would "make proposals" that would not require an extraordinary session of Parliament. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/orban-says-eu-objections-to-legislation-not-difficult-to-resolve_62418 2012-01-20T11:40:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/orban-says-eu-objections-to-legislation-not-difficult-to-resolve_62418 Hungarian minister without portfolio Tamas Fellegi continued informal talks in Vienna on Thursday in preparation for the start of official negotiations on financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, the minister’s press office said. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fellegi-holds-talks-in-vienna_62407 2012-01-19T18:05:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fellegi-holds-talks-in-vienna_62407 Parliamentary state secretary at the Rural Development Ministry Jozsef Angyan has submitted his resignation without indicating a reason, Rural Development Minister Sandor Fazekas said on Thursday, confirming reports. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/farm-ministry-state-secretary-tenders-resignation_62401 2012-01-19T13:40:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/farm-ministry-state-secretary-tenders-resignation_62401 Prime Minister Viktor Orban said during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France on Wednesday afternoon that problems that have emerged with the European Commission regarding new laws in Hungary "could easily, simply and quickly be resolved. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/pm-says-disputes-with-european-commission-can-be-swiftly-resolved_62386 2012-01-18T18:25:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/pm-says-disputes-with-european-commission-can-be-swiftly-resolved_62386 Parliament’s Audit and Budget Committee has postponed until January 26 an extraordinary meeting originally scheduled for Friday in order to hear National Economy Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy’s assessment of the government’s 2012 budget, committee Chairman Laszlo Nyikos told MTI on Wednesday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/parliamentary-committee-postpones-hearing-of-national-economy-minister-on-2012-budget_62384 2012-01-18T16:10:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/parliamentary-committee-postpones-hearing-of-national-economy-minister-on-2012-budget_62384 Hungary’s government is attempting to reach an agreement as soon as possible with the European Commission (EC) regarding the new laws to which the commission objects, National Economy Ministry State Secretary Zoltan Csefalvay said at the Euromoney financial conference in Vienna on Wednesday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/ecomin-state-secretary-says-govt-striving-to-reach-agreement-with-ec_62376 2012-01-18T15:55:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/ecomin-state-secretary-says-govt-striving-to-reach-agreement-with-ec_62376 The European Commission decided to launch three infringement proceedings against Hungary, Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said following the weekly EC meeting in Strasbourg on Tuesday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/update---eu-to-launch-three-infringement-proceedings-against-hungary_62362 2012-01-17T17:10:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/update---eu-to-launch-three-infringement-proceedings-against-hungary_62362 The European Commission decided to launch three infringement proceedings against Hungary, Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said following the weekly EC meeting in Strasbourg on Tuesday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/eu-to-launch-three-infringement-proceedings-against-hungary_62360 2012-01-17T15:35:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/eu-to-launch-three-infringement-proceedings-against-hungary_62360 Hungary’s economic situation and "recommended changes" to the country’s new Central Bank Act were discussed at a meeting between minister without portfolio Tamas Fellegi, National Bank of Hungary governor Andras Simor and European Central Bank governor Mario Draghi in Frankfurt on Tuesday, ECB spokeswoman Eszter Miltenyi told MTI. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/update---economy-recommended-changes-to-central-bank-act-subject-of-ecb-meeting_62351 2012-01-17T13:40:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/update---economy-recommended-changes-to-central-bank-act-subject-of-ecb-meeting_62351 Hungary’s economic situation and "recommended changes" to the country’s new Central Bank Act were discussed at a meeting between minister without portfolio Tamas Fellegi, National Bank of Hungary governor Andras Simor and European Central Bank governor Mario Draghi in Frankfurt on Tuesday, ECB spokeswoman Eszter Miltenyi told MTI. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/economy-recommended-changes-to-central-bank-act-subject-of-ecb-meeting_62349 2012-01-17T12:05:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/economy-recommended-changes-to-central-bank-act-subject-of-ecb-meeting_62349 Deputy Prime Minister Tibor Navracsics said Tuesday he expected the European Commission to launch three infringement procedures against Hungary, one on the independence of the central bank, another about the retirement age of judges and prosecutors and a third on the independence of the data protection. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/deputy-pm-expects-eu-to-launch-three-infringement-procedures-against-hungary_62347 2012-01-17T12:05:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/deputy-pm-expects-eu-to-launch-three-infringement-procedures-against-hungary_62347 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will address the European Parliament’s session in Strasbourg on Wednesday, Peter Szijjarto, the Prime Minister’s spokesman, told MTI late on Monday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/hungary-pm-to-address-european-parliament-on-wednesday_62346 2012-01-17T12:00:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/hungary-pm-to-address-european-parliament-on-wednesday_62346 Talks on a "fiscal compact" between European Union member states are moving in a favourable direction from Hungary’s point of view of the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Friday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/talks-on-eu-fiscal-compact-moving-in-favourable-direction-for-hungary-says-foreign-ministry_62321 2012-01-13T15:25:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/talks-on-eu-fiscal-compact-moving-in-favourable-direction-for-hungary-says-foreign-ministry_62321 The Hungarian government will review the results of the past year and a half, including "the consolidation after the reorganisation of the country", at a series of cabinet meetings over the next two weeks, MTI learnt from government sources. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/cabinet-to-review-past-year-and-a-half_62317 2012-01-13T13:35:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/cabinet-to-review-past-year-and-a-half_62317 The government agrees with some of the European Union’s legal viewpoints regarding Hungary’s Central Bank Law and sees no obstacle to accept them, but the positions of the government and the EU with regard to the new law are far apart in some other respects, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on a radio programme on Friday morning. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/pm-says-govt-agrees-with-some-eu-points-on-central-bank-law_62310 2012-01-13T11:25:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/pm-says-govt-agrees-with-some-eu-points-on-central-bank-law_62310 Only commitments, but not payments, of the European Union’s Cohesion Fund may be suspended in part or whole on the basis of a decree, Hungary’s Foreign Ministry told MTI on Thursday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/ministry-acknowledges-cohesion-fund-commitments-but-not-payments-may-be-suspended_62303 2012-01-12T17:45:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/ministry-acknowledges-cohesion-fund-commitments-but-not-payments-may-be-suspended_62303 The European Commission will use all of its powers to ensure Hungary complies with European Union principles, Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Thursday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/barroso-ec-to-use-all-powers-to-ensure-hungary-complies-with-eu-principles_62299 2012-01-12T17:40:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/barroso-ec-to-use-all-powers-to-ensure-hungary-complies-with-eu-principles_62299 Parliament’s Audit and Budget Committee has called an extraordinary meeting for January 20 to hear an assessment of the 2012 budget by National Economy Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy, the invitation to the meeting published on the website of Parliament shows. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/opposition-mps-summon-matolcsy-to-committee-meeting_62297 2012-01-12T14:50:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/opposition-mps-summon-matolcsy-to-committee-meeting_62297 Minister without portfolio Tamas Fellegi will travel to Germany on Monday and Tuesday for talks with European Central Bank governor Mario Draghi and Bundesbank governor Jens Weidmann, Mr Fellegi’s press office told MTI on Thursday, responding to a question. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fellegi-to-make-rounds-in-europe-after-return-from-us_62290 2012-01-12T14:40:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fellegi-to-make-rounds-in-europe-after-return-from-us_62290 Minister without portfolio Tamas Fellegi will meet with Vice President of the European Commission Olli Rehn on January 20, a spokesman for Mr Rehn said on Tuesday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fellegi-rehn-to-meet-on-jan-20_62243 2012-01-10T13:25:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fellegi-rehn-to-meet-on-jan-20_62243 Government Minister without Portfolio Tamas Fellegi began talks in Washington on Monday with representatives from the International Monetary Fund regarding a financial-assistance package for Hungary, the Embassy of Hungary in Washington DC informed MTI on Monday evening. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fellegi-begins-talks-with-imf_62239 2012-01-10T11:50:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fellegi-begins-talks-with-imf_62239 The European Commission will soon prepare an analysis of Hungary’s new Central Bank Act, a spokesman for Vice President of the Commission Olli Rehn said on Monday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/ec-to-prepare-analysis-of-hungary-central-bank-act-soon_62225 2012-01-09T16:20:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/ec-to-prepare-analysis-of-hungary-central-bank-act-soon_62225 The Hungarian government plans to extend the lease of its Gripen fighter aircraft by ten years, and the Swedish government is expected to decide on the issue in late January, Defence Minister Csaba Hende said on Friday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/hungary-to-extend-gripen-lease-by-ten-years-says-defmin_62205 2012-01-06T17:20:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/hungary-to-extend-gripen-lease-by-ten-years-says-defmin_62205 US Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis says Hungary’s government has failed to address Washington’s misgivings after US diplomats actively consulted with the government for months on key reforms, sharing their concerns regarding democratic checks and balances. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/hungary-govt-fails-to-address-us-concerns-ambassador-says_62189 2012-01-06T11:35:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/hungary-govt-fails-to-address-us-concerns-ambassador-says_62189 Laszlo Nyikos, chairman of parliament’s budget committee, would like to hold a committee meeting to ask National Economy Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy about the feasibility of the 2012 central budget targets under the current circumstances, Mr Nyikos said in a statement to MTI. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/parliaments-budget-committee-head-would-like-to-hear-economy-minister_62188 2012-01-06T11:30:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/parliaments-budget-committee-head-would-like-to-hear-economy-minister_62188 No further details have been published, but a press conference will be held after the meeting. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/pm-central-bank-governor-ministers-start-meeting_62183 2012-01-06T09:30:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/pm-central-bank-governor-ministers-start-meeting_62183 National Bank of Hungary (MNB) supervisory board chairman Zsigmond Jarai has not resigned from his position as chairman of the Fiscal Council, the head of the supervisory board’s secretariat Gabor Missura told MTI on Thursday. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/mnb-official-says-jarai-has-not-resigned-from-fiscal-council_62180 2012-01-05T17:45:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/mnb-official-says-jarai-has-not-resigned-from-fiscal-council_62180 National Economy Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy outlined amendments to Hungary’s new Central Bank Act in a letter to European Central Bank president Mario Draghi dated January 5. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/matolcsy-outlines-amendments-to-central-bank-act-made-on-ecb-recommendations_62176 2012-01-05T17:40:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/matolcsy-outlines-amendments-to-central-bank-act-made-on-ecb-recommendations_62176 Janos Lazar, parliamentary leader of the ruling Fidesz party, told MTI in an interview published on Thursday that Hungary must accept certain conditions during upcoming talks regarding a financial-support package with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, but that such conditions must not be contrary to the country’s interests. http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fidesz-parliamentary-leader-says-all-compromises-with-imf-must-serve-hungarys-interests_62158 2012-01-05T11:50:00+02:00 http://www.bbj.hu/politics/fidesz-parliamentary-leader-says-all-compromises-with-imf-must-serve-hungarys-interests_62158