NEWSLETTER
Republic of Hungary Budapest, 1394 . 423
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Telephone:36(1)156-8000
456/1994. Budapest, September 16,1994
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Hungary Needs New Markets, Not Aid, Orban Says
Budapest, September 15 (MTI) - HUNGARY and the European
Union (EU) were the subject of talks between Michael Jay,
British Foreign Office State Secretary in charge of
European Integration and Eastern Europe, and Viktor Orban,
chairman of the Hungarian Parliament's Committee on
European Integration Affairs, in Budapest on Thursday.
Orban later told reporters the Hungarian side believed
that the country had already met two of the membership
criteria fixed in Copenhagen: parliamentary democracy and
a stabilizing market economy.
The Hungarian parliamentary parties, the government and
the Committee on European Affairs are in agreement over
the linkage of Hungary's modernization strategy and its
preparation for EU membership.
The Hungarian side emphasized that Hungary needs
markets, instead of aid.
In this respect, it gives cause for concern that Hungary
had a deficit of USD 900 million with EU countries last
year, and that the figure may exceed the one-billion
mark by the end of this year, according to forecasts.
Family Law to be Amended to Guarantee Rights of the
Child
Budapest, September 15 (MTI) - THE Hungarian government
has submitted a proposal to Parliament to amend the Family
Law, in order to lawfully guarantee the rights of the
child, government spokeswoman Evelyn Forro said on
Thursday in Budapest, at the customary briefing following
the cabinet's session.
Hungary ratified the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child, passed in 1990, in November, 1991.
However, the most essential points of the
Convention have not yet been incorporated into the
Hungarian family law. The government now proposes that
Parliament bring the valid Hungarian family law into
concert with the international convention.
Under the terms of the proposal, the amended family law
will ensure the right
of the child to have a say in issues that concern his or
her future, from everyday
problems to choosing a career, or deciding to leave the
family home.
Decisions on adoption and custody cannot, under the
proposal, be made without the consent of the child if he
or she is over the age of 14.
According to plans, changes in court verdicts regarding
child custody and visitation rights could be requested
immediately, inasmuch as the verdict violates the rights
of the child. At present, this is possible only two years
after the divorce becomes final.
Under the terms of the amendment proposal, the
conditions for adoption by foreigners would be made
stricter, and the circumstances for changing child custody
rights would also be amended, with the interest of the
child the exclusive consideration in the latter case.
Government Approves Hungarian-Croat Water Management
Agreement
Budapest, September 15 (MTI) - THE Hungarian government
approved the Hungarian-Croat water management agreement,
at its session on Thursday. It also approved the statutes
of the Hungarian-Croat Water Management Standing
Committee, government spokeswoman Evelyn Forro said in
Budapest on Thursday.
The water management agreement between the two
countries was signed on June 10, 1994. The document is in
concert with the international convention signed in Sofia
in June, 1994, on the protection and use of the Danube.
The convention's effect extends to water management on the
Hungarian-Croat border waters, and to the exchange of
relevant information.
The sides are to delegate three members each to the
Standing Committee.
Economic Issues Dominate President Goncz's Talks in
Beijing
Beijing, September 15 (MTI) - HUNGARIAN President rpad
Goncz again confirmed that Hungary considers China its
strategic partner, and wishes to intensify relations in
all walks of life.
Goncz made the remarks in the course of his meeting
with Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng, in Beijing on
Thursday.
The Hungarian President's spokesman, Andras Farago,
said Goncz's talks on Thursday focused on economic and
trade issues.
The President asked the Chinese government to assist
Hungarian companies in receiving a share in the major
Chinese investments, for instance, for them to deliver
parts to the huge hydroelectric plant planned to be built
on the Yangtze river.
Goncz mentioned the Raba Co. and the Ikarus Chassis and
Vehicle Factory, which are engaged in setting up Chinese
assembling units. He also proposed Hungarian cooperation
in Chinese food industry projects and in the development
of telecommunications.
President Goncz said Hungary awaits Chinese investors
in Hungary. The Hungarian leadership welcomes the fact
that China set up its Central and Eastern European trade
center in Budapest, and provides all possible assistance
to its smooth operation.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng stressed the importance
of inter-company cooperation.
In spite of the talks being dominated by economic
topics, the sides also discussed political issues. The
Hungarian President mentioned the historical traditions
and the Hungarian minorities living beyond the borders,
thus justifying the heightened attention which Budapest
devotes to human rights issues.
President Goncz said one of the most important goals of
his visit is to be familiarized with the results of
Chinese modernization.
The Hungarian President invited the Chinese Prime
Minister, and the Speaker of the Chinese National
People's Congress, Qiao Shi, to visit Hungary.
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Reposting is supported by Hungarian Human Rights Foundation News
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