The Hungarian and Romanian prime ministers discussed the Hungarian benefit law (to be amended shortly) during their private meeting, after the opening of a new border station at Vallaj-Urzicen on Friday. 

Speaking at a press conference after their meeting, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy said that following parliamentary approval of the law, talks would begin on preparing an intergovernmental agreement related to its implementation.  

Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase said he hoped the future agreement between the two governments would suitably regulate the implementation of the benefit law between the two countries, and within Romania, too.  

The Hungarian government has received positive opinion from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on planned changes in a law offering benefits to ethnic Hungarians in neighbouring countries. 

Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy told a joint a news conference held with Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase in Vallaj, E Hungary, the OSCE found that the altered law meets European expectations. 

The OSCE recommended intergovernmental agreements between the involved countries and Hungary on implementing the law, Medgyessy said. Speaking of private talks between the two prime ministers, the Hungarian PM said topics had included issues related to joining the European Union. Nastase said that Romania had already concluded several negotiation chapters with Brussels and was moving forward to membership. 

The two prime ministers also discussed a motorway linking Budapest and Bucharest. Medgyessy underlined that Hungary wanted to see the road run through the middle of Transylvania, and not simply skirt it. He said Hungary wanted to set up a consulate general in Miercurea Ciuc but was ready to take gradual measures and at this time would limit itself to a consulate. 

Nastase said Bucharest was trying to open the largest possible number of border crossings between the two countries and was working to eliminate obstacles to relations. He confirmed that the Romanian cabinet had given the Budapest-Bucharest motorway a top priority. It also was focusing on other upgrades in the transportation infrastructure, on supporting implementation of Hungary's benefit law, and on introducing consular services to Miercurea Ciuc, he said.