Hongaars voorzitterschap benadrukt belang solidariteit jegens Portugal (en)

Budapest, 7 April, 2011

Presidency Statement

The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union stands ready to react immediately based on the announcement of Prime Minster José Sócrates i yesterday night. We want to emphasize the importance of solidarity with Portugal which has made a responsible move in order to safeguard financial stability in the country and in the Eurozone. We would like to underline that the appropriate and necessary legal and financial structure to deal with a formal request from Portugal, once submitted, is already firmly in place at the European Union level since 2010.

Following the Hungarian Presidency's discussions with the President of the European Council, we can confirm that convening an extraordinary European Council is not necessary. From a legal point of view, the Eurogroup and the Council of Ministers can take all necessary decisions in this regard, and the Presidency will make sure that the issue is put on the agenda without undue delay.

The issue will of course be discussed on 8 April 2011 at the informal meeting of finance ministers in Gödöllő, Hungary. A press conference is foreseen at 5.30 PM on Friday. You can follow the press conference on the Presidency Website at www.eu2011.hu.

For further information please contact Márton HAJDU, Spokesperson of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU: 0491 355 457 - marton.hajdu@kum.hu