Following the meeting of the European Commission with the Hungarian Presidency, President Barroso expressed Commission's readiness to work hand in hand with Hungary's presidency to make this semester a success for the European Union. In President Barroso's view there is an urgent need for serious and joint reforms to be taken, both at national level and at the European level. During this meeting Prime Minister Orban also expressed Hungary's commitment to take all the necessary efforts to work with the Commission and clear any legal issues regarding the new Hungary media law.

As President of the Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, highlighted following his meeting with Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary Budapest, on 7 January 2011, only rigorous consolidation and structural reforms can break the vicious circle of unsustainable debt, disruption on financial markets and low economic growth in many Member States.

Opening the Hungarian semester of European Union Presidency, Commission's President stressed that it is not only necessary to implement the principles agreed for the European semester, but also to adopt the proposals that are now on the table for a stronger economic governance which are expected to be approved by the Council and the Parliament during this semester. Economic governance reforms would be the best response to those that are sceptical about the capacity of the European Union to respond.

Europe needs for coordinated action

President Barroso called again for a coordinated action between Member states and institutions for the European Union to adopt a strong position towards the challenges to be faced over the coming months. “Europe can only be strong if it is able to act in a coordinated manner, with strong institutions, with a common governance, with stronger economic coordination”, he said.

Not only internal voices have raised within the EU for stronger and deeper coordination, the markets are also demanding more coordination at European level. They sending every day a very clear message that Europe has to work in a more coordinated manner when it comes to economic and financial issues, so it is not a question of utopia or idealism, Barroso highlighted, to ask for stronger economic governance and coordination, it is a matter of realism.

President Barroso pointed out the two of the most important areas which are going to be addressed at the next European Council: energy and innovation. He acknowledged the great efforts Hungary and personally Prime Minister Orbán, devote to energy matters. As this is a critical issue for the entire region, but also for the rest of Europe, there is to be progress in this area of interconnection, reason why the European Commission is preparing this with the European Council.

Hungarian media law: Commission will conduct legal assessment

On the issue about Hungarian media law, President Barroso reminded the statement made by the Commission at the beginning of the year supporting for the principle of the freedom of the press as a sacred principle in the European Union and media pluralism as a fundamental part of European society. Prime Minister Orban assured that the law is drawn up, and will be implemented, in full respect of European Unions values on media freedom and relevant EU legislation.

The European Commission will make a legal assessment as soon as the formal notification is received, but apart from the legal aspects, Commission welcomed the fact that the Prime Minister is ready to consider changing the law in case its implementation shows some political problems and that some concerns could be justified. This will attend the need for Hungary to have the full backing of the member states and of the European institutions to make this presidency a success, based on those political perception.