HUNGARY: Czech PM sings with old friends at tourism exhibition, while on two-day visit to Hungary

The Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek and his delegation arrived in Budapest Thursday morning (March 29) for a two-day visit to Hungary. It is the first prime ministerial meeting between Hungary and the Czech Republic since 2005. On the agenda of the meetings are the foreign policy of the new Czech government, and issues concerning the European Union, the Balkans, and Afghanistan. The two delegations will also discuss prospects of co-operation between the two countries as well as co-operation within the European Union to represent the common interests of the two countries and the Visegrad 4 Group. After an official military parade Topolanek visited the Travel 2007 Exhibit where this year, the Czech Republic is guest of honour. Topolanek gave an opening speech at the exhibition where he demonstrated his Hungarian vocabulary of typical Hungarian food names. "Apricot palinka, Tokaj, goulash, stew, fish soup," he said to the gathered crowd. Topolanek also reinforced that Hungary and the Czech Republic were pushing for the implementation of the Schengen agreement, and that he was looking forward to when the barriers between nations would come down. "This year, at New Year's Eve, we want to knock down all the barriers [with Schengen]," he said. As Topolanek visited his country's tourism stand, he met a group of old musician friends who invited him to sing along with them. On Friday (March 30) the Czech and Hungarian prime ministers will meet in a plenary session, which will be followed by an international news conference. POLITICAL FUNNIES

ITN Source | March 30, 2007

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