19 November 2004
Britain and Hungary are working closely together across the whole range of issues in the European Union, the Prime Minister said earlier today
Read the press conference in full:
Prime Minister:
Good Morning everyone. First of all can I welcome the Hungarian Prime Minister here to Downing Street this morning, and to say thank you Ferenc for coming in to see us with your colleagues. Can I also pay tribute to his leadership in Hungary. He has, as you know, taken over as Prime Minister relatively recently, but he is making a big impact, I am sure in Hungary, but also in the rest of Europe too. And in particular let me thank him as well for his support and understanding over the issue of support for what we are trying to achieve in Iraq to bring about democratic elections there, and to make sure that the Iraqi forces have the capability of doing the job they need to do on behalf of the Iraqi people and the wider international community. Let me also say that Britain and Hungary are working closely together across the whole range of issues in the European Union at the moment. Hungary is a valued partner of ours within the European Union. There are big changes coming up on issues to do with the future financing of the European Union, of course the whole question of the European Constitution, and in all these areas we work closely together, and I very much value that relationship. So Ferenc, once again, on behalf of my colleagues here, welcome to you and your colleagues and thank you for coming to see us.
Mr Gyurcsany:
Thank you very much for the opportunity. This is not the first time that we meet the Prime Minister, (rest of interpretation inaudible).
Prime Minister:
If you want a potted version of what that was, the Prime Minister was explaining the decision in the Hungarian Parliament on the troops, but also indicating that it was the desire of his government to make sure instead that they could contribute a battalion to the training of the Iraqi forces in Iraq, so that is obviously of considerable importance. And there was an issue to do with Hungarian paprika, that I don’t think I need to trouble the British media with, at least I hope not, but anyway, you never know.
Question: (Robert Jones, Hungarian News Agency)
European Union tax issues are among the most sensitive in the UK and this portfolio has gone now to the new Hungarian Commissioner. What policies do you expect from him in order to avoid any possible confrontation between him and your government?
Prime Minister:
Obviously I am sure he will do an excellent job for the Commission, but as you know we have got a very strong view against the harmonisation of taxes, and also it is important that people understand that the new European Constitution makes it absolutely clear that it is for nation states to set their tax rates. Now I am sure that will be no problem with the Hungarian Commissioner at all, but it is just always important that we state that. However, where there are real issues to do with tax abuse and so on, that is where there is an important role for any Commissioner.
Mr Gyurcsany:
(Interpretation inaudible)
Prime Minister:
The Prime Minister was just saying that he agrees - now this is important for the British media - on the issue of tax harmonisation and supports tax competition.
Question:
Prime Minister, I wonder if I could ask you what your message would be to hunt supporters who are going to try by whatever means they possibly can to ensure that this is an issue at the next election? And I wonder if I could just ask Mr Gyurcsany whether he can tell us in English whether he is concerned about the message that is sent out about the decision to pull troops out of Iraq, despite the appeals from Mr Blair for you to keep them there.
Prime Minister:
On the first issue, this was always going to be an issue at a general election, and it will be an issue because there are very strong feelings about it. And the reason why I wanted a delay was so that people could take their case out to the country and so that there would be time for people to adjust, and also time to try and find a way through. Look, there are people who feel passionately that hunting is integral to their way of life; there are people who feel equally passionately that it is barbaric and cruel. I have been trying to find a way through, that is my job as Prime Minister. But it has always been a free vote and I am afraid the views on both sides are very, very entrenched in this argument. Well it will now go to the courts and I have no doubt it will be an issue, it always was going to be an issue. But what is important is that so far as I am concerned we try and make sure that people handle the issue reasonably and sensibly. I should point out of course that the Hungarian Prime Minister moved in the Hungarian parliament in order to maintain the troops in Iraq. You needed, I think I am right in saying, a two-thirds majority to get it through and he wasn’t able to do that.
Mr Gyurcsany:
I think the message is very simple. First of all, we have a common interest to maintain the global stability and security, and all of us have the responsibility. But it is very difficult to make the people understand that without any involvement in solving the global problems, we will not be able to protect the interests of our own nation. If we would like to defend our nation, the operation cannot be started at the border of the nations. We need a lot of efforts to pursue the people, but Hungary’s interest is to maintain, or staying in Iraq at least at the end of the election, at least. We didn’t have enough majority, but it does not change our commitment to be involved in the operations to maintain the global stability and security.
Question:
Prime Minister, how committed are you, and is the government, to London winning the Olympics, and why is it so important, or is it important, that London does?
Prime Minister:
We are absolutely committed to the Olympics coming to London in 2012. It is important because we can achieve a tremendous sporting legacy for this country through the investment in the Olympics. The Olympics will bring a lot of people, a lot of visitors, a lot of tourism to the country, and also because this is a nation that is passionate about sport, and I think that it is increasingly clear that people see now this London bid as a very strong bid, and the government is 101% behind it.
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