Today had a decidedly Hungarian flavour. The Committee was happy to welcome the Hungarian Government minister with responsibility for the national economy, Mr Zsolt Becsey. Our President, Staffan Nilsson, hosted a lunch in his honour and I was among the welcoming party. Mr Becsey began his career in the Hungarian Foreign Affairs Ministry as a specialist in European integration. He then became responsible for relations with the Council of Europe before joining the Hungarian permanent representation in Brussels. He went back to Budapest as chief European adviser to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, returning to Brussels as Deputy Permanent Representative. Then, from 2004 to 2009, he served as a Member of the European Parliament. In other words, when it comes to affairs European, Mr Becsey knows his onions! The lunchtime discussion was erudite, respectful and frank. Some of the topics discussed can be guessed, but it was good for us all to be reminded that there is always more than one side to a story.
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