UK and Hungary pledge cooperation

12 November 2007

The UK and Hungary have pledged to work together within the EU to bring progress on economic, environmental and security issues.

In a joint statement, Gordon Brown and Hungarian PM Ferenc Gyurcsány said the EU had the opportunity to become a "truly global player" with the signing of the EU Treaty. Mr Brown welcomed his counterpart to Downing Street today for bilateral talks.

The two leaders promised to push forward economic reform to encourage "innovation and competition" and "meet the challenges" of a globalised economy.

The two leaders also promised to drive forward EU leadership on climate change at the forthcoming Bali summit and to take "urgent action" on poverty and development by adopting a "fresh approach" to the Millennium Devleopment Goals. The EU should also establish itself as a leader in delivering "peace. prosperity and security" to the wider world.

Mr Brown and Mr Gyurcsany also said that the current status of Kosovo was "unsustainable" and called for a settlement to be found "without delay".

• Read the statement
• Go to our International page