Minister of State for European Affairs Enikő Győri, and MFA European Director Bálint Ódor hosted a delegation of the French Senate's French-Hungarian Friendship Group, on September 4.

Enikő Győri pointed out that there are numerous areas where Hungary and France can cooperate as close allies, as they did when they defended the common agricultural policy during the course of negotiations on the 2014-2020 EU Multiannual Financial Framework.

The parties also discussed Hungarian ideas regarding the future of the European Union, Hungarian-EU ties and the economic achievements of the country, in addition to which the agenda also included such important items as the Free Trade Agreement to be signed with the United States. The Hungarian party emphasised that cultural diversity is a value that must be preserved during ever deepening integration.

Following the meeting with Enikő Győri, Deputy State Secretary Gergely Prőhle welcomed the delegation of the French Senate led by Senator Michel Billout. During their talks, special emphasis was given to the upcoming political and cultural events, especially the planned visit to Paris of President of the Republic János Áder, his talks with President of the Republic Francois Hollande, as well as the exhibition of the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts and the Musée D’Orsay entitled “Béla Bartók and Hungarian Modernism, 1905-1920” to be organised in Paris under the joint patronage of the two countries’ Presidents.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)