Foreign Minister János Martonyi paid a visit to Berlin on July 8 and was received by Guido Westerwelle, German Vice-Chancellor and foreign minister, on an introductory meeting.

Guido Westerwelle praised the new Hungarian government’s simultaneous efforts to consolidate the budget and to implement a growth-oriented policy. He emphasized that this is the policy direction that Germany finds desirable in Europe.

Mr Westerwelle identified the need for money market regulation as one of Germany’s most important goals in its Europe-policy. From Berlin’s point of view, money market participants, too, must take a share in resolving difficulties brought on by the global economic and financial crisis. For this reason the German government has decided to impose a levy on banks within the framework of an austerity programme.

The German foreign minister emphasized that Germany has an interest in the success of the Hungarian EU Presidency and offered his support to facilitate it. He added that the Hungarian government will take over the rotating presidency at a time of great difficulty and heightened responsibility, but at the same time expressed his conviction that Hungary would be able to fulfil the responsible tasks, including, foremost among them, the economic challenges.

Mr Martonyi also held talks with Christoph Heusgen, foreign and security policy advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Uwe Corsepius, the Chancellor’s Europe policy advisor.

The Hungarian foreign minister emphasized that he had met with great understanding and amicability on the part of all his German partners. He expressed his conviction that bilateral relations would further strengthen in the future. He added that Hungary faced enormous challenges which were in some respects similar to those facing Germany. Both countries believe that a growth-friendly fiscal discipline provides the right solution; that it is possible to be conservative in budgetary policy, to reduce the budget deficit and the level of debt, while implementing an employment and growth-friendly policy which can help solve economic and social problems.

Mr Martonyi said it was important that the German side had demonstrated great interest in regional cooperation, Central Europe and the Visegrad Four grouping. He briefed his partners on the upcoming Visegrad Summit, to be held on July 20. We shall initiate comprehensive talks with Slovakia, characterized by a new tone, a new atmosphere, in order to resolve all contentious issues. Hungary will widen its Central Europe policies, involving a certain southern orientation. Both Hungarian-Romanian and Hungarian-Serbian relations are developing well, he said. Hungary believes that it has a special role to play in south-eastern Europe in general, and particularly in the Western Balkans. This is the region where Hungary can make a special contribution in the area of implementing a joint European foreign and security policy. Hungary regards the Danube strategy, in which Germany is also a partner, as of key importance.