New Delhi, Nov 03: Describing his visit to India as "very important", Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy today said his country is keen to avail the post-economic liberalisation opportunities here. Medgyessy, who was accorded a ceremonial welcome on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan here, said the Indian business could also benefit after his country becomes a member of the European Union.


The Hungarian leader, who had arrived on a seven-day visit to the country yesterday, told reporters that his visit would further strengthen bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who received Medgyessy, said the ties between India and Hungary would strengthen in all fields as a result of the visit. Medgyessy's visit, the first by a Hungarian Prime Minister in 29 years, assumes importance as that country will become a member of the European Union after six months.

A slew of agreements to enhance defence and economic cooperation would be signed by the two countries during Medgyessy's visit.

Medgyessy, accompanied by a high-level delegation, would hold wide-ranging parleys with Vajpayee on the entire range of bilateral relations and on key regional and international issues of mutual interest.

He would also call on President A P J Abdul Kalam and Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat besides meeting external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha and leader of the opposition Sonia Gandhi. Bureau Report