On Kossuth public radio station today the Hungarian prime minister confirmed that action will be taken in support of the lower middle class next year, adding that Hungary is not far from coming to a ‘good agreement’ with the International Monetary Fund.

Viktor Orbán said that new developments related to the IMF talks on financial assistance should be expected after general meetings have taken place in Tokyo.

He added that Hungary is more serious and in a stronger condition than it was at the time of the previous agreement, and so it intends to strike a good deal with the organisation; he restated that, in line with earlier statements, Hungary will use assistance for government debt reduction.

He also confirmed that in 2013 the Government would announce action plans aimed at the lower middle class. It has been argued that those who earn between the minimum wage and HUF 220,000 (EUR 770) per month have not yet been able to break free from their current predicament.

The Prime Minister also commented on his meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday. Their talks focused mainly on issues touching on the European Union and economic policy, but the two parties also discussed questions related to election rights and media regulation.

Viktor Orbán said that Angela Merkel, who originates from East Germany, has a good understanding of what is happening in Central Europe and empathises with the peoples of this region. At the same time he stressed the sovereignty of both countries which, though naturally interested in each other, rule out interference in each other's domestic policies.

Hungary and Hungarians are respected in Germany and the two states consider each other equal partners. He added that over the past two years Germans have invested a total of 4.7 billion euros in Hungary, and 300,000 Hungarians are employed in German companies.

Chancellor Merkel understands the Hungarian position that ‘Hungary should think about joining the eurozone only if it presents positive new prospects for the Hungarian economy, and when Hungary is fully prepared,’ the Prime Minister said.

(Prime Minister's Office)