The chairman of Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union first expressed his deepest sympathy for the death of German peacekeepers in Afghanistan, and then congratulated the German government and the Chancellor herself for the success of the German EU-presidency in leading the European Union out of the crisis it had been stuck in for the past two years. Mr Orbán noted that due to the efforts of the German presidency all European citizens hoping for a stronger Europe can vote optimistically in the 2009 European Parliamentary elections.

Viktor Orbán said that the people of Hungary have always taken keen interest in the public debates going on in Germany, and this has been the case these days when the CDU has reached an important stage in preparing its manifesto. "A strengthened Europe and a renewed model of the social market economy are in our interest. We have no intention to conceal our opinion about neo-liberal economic policy that can only do harm to our continent in the future. We are supporters of a Europe reunited on the basis of social market economy, and I sincerely hope for a vigorous intellectual and political cooperation in this matter", stated the chairman of Fidesz.

Mrs Merkel said they had known each other for a long time with Viktor Orbán, having cooperated within the European People's Party. "I would like to express my gratitude towards Fidesz for its support within the EPP in finding a solution to the European Union's constitutional treaty. We have decided upon a mutual cooperation in creating the two parties' manifestos", declared the Chancellor. She then added that political, cultural and inter-party relations were very strong between Germany and Hungary and that she hoped to further develop these connections. Mrs Merkel concluded that Germany would like a developing Hungary to remain a reliable and strong partner in the European Union.


orbanviktor.hu - fidesz.hu