Hungary's expertise in the process of accession to NATO and the European Union was discussed during Foreign Minister Solomon Passi's talks with his Hungarian counterpart, Janos Martony, in Budapest on Saturday.

Hungary assessed very highly Bulgaria's readiness to act as an ally of the alliance, including setting up a global coalition to fight terrorism, announced a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Passi's meeting with the Hungarian Ambassador in Washington (1994-1998) Gyorgy Balonki and Gyorgy von Habsburg, advisor to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, focused on the possibility of forming a strong Bulgarian lobby among the senior members of the European Parliament. Balonki was requested to use his clout in the U.S. to advance the cause of Bulgaria's Euro-Atlantic integration. Von Habsburg pledged support for Bulgaria's bid for EU membership.

Passi also conferred with Laszlo Kovacs, leader of the opposition Hungarian Socialist Party. The two exchanged views on the current situation in the world in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., and on Bulgaria and Hungary's positions on the anti-terrorism efforts of the international community. The latest developments in Macedonia were also central to the talks. Another important topic was Bulgarian preparation for NATO and EU membership. Kovacs told Passi that the Hungarian Socialists will support Bulgarian efforts for prompt accession into the alliance.

The Bulgarian foreign minister also met with Ferenc Somogyi, president of the Hungarian Atlantic Association and executive director of the Hungarian telecom company Matav.

During a meeting with Passi on Friday, Hungary's Defence Minister Janos Szabo and Martony voiced their full support for the decisions of the Bulgarian government and the declaration of the Bulgarian Parliament in connection with the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., announced the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry. The Hungarian ministers stressed that the summit of NATO applicants, or the so-called Vilnius Group, scheduled for October 5 in Sofia has acquired key importance after the latest developments. Szabo and Martony voiced Hungary's categorical and unconditional support for Bulgaria's bid for NATO membership, according to the Ministry's spokesperson.

Passi also discussed with his hosts Hungary's participation in infrastructure projects in Bulgaria, and in particular in the construction of a second bridge over the Danube.