March 17, 2008

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in Washington on March 17 paving the way to the introduction of visa waivers for Hungarians from early next year.

The MOU, similar to what the Check Republic has signed recently, is part of a series of agreements to be submitted to the U.S. Congress for approval. The two governments are expected to hold talks in Budapest in the next few weeks on allowing US air marshals on US-bound flights, on cooperation against organized crime and terrorism, and on stolen and lost passports.

Visa exemption will apply only those traveling to the U.S. as tourists or for business purposes. Entry visas for Hungarian visitors will be replaced by an electronic form, similar to the ones passengers are asked to fill on the plane on their way to the US.

March 2, 2008

The main opposition party Fidesz and its ally the Christian Democrat Party (KDNP) initiated a referendum one and a half year ago on banning tuition, visiting and daily hospital fees. Due to the long official procedures, the referendum is scheduled to be held only on Sunday, March 9. According to the opposition, the so call "social referendum" represents the rejection of the government’s “reform rampage”, including the major heath care reform. Fidesz also claims that a successful referendum will be symbolic and “could mark a new political era. Prime Minister Gyurcsány insists though that the referendum will not affect the essence of the reforms and that parliamentary elections were not due until 2010, so the outcome was immaterial.

February 6, 2008

Austrian authorities are not honoring the bilateral agreement signed last summer on cleaning up the Rába River, Environment Minister Gábor Fodor told reporters in Szentgotthárd on Tuesday. Our patience is at an end, he declared.

Pollution is continuing to flow along the Rába because the Wollsdorf tannery has not upgraded its technology to reduce pollution emissions, as promised, Fodor said, unlike other tanneries in Jennersdorf and Feldbach.

Fodor remarked that Austrian authorities have failed to disclose any information neither about the expected pollution nor about what measures they had taken against the polluters, contrary to an agreement signed last summer. He said he will take up the issue with his Austrian counterpart.

On another matter, Fodor vowed to turn to the EU if an Austrian waste incinerator is built near the Hungarian border.