The Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr Viktor Orban, said today that Hungary did not bear a grudge against Ireland for rejecting the Nice Treaty.
"There is no difficulty between Hungary and Ireland arising from its rejection last June of the treaty, intended to reform the EU to admit 12 new members, including Hungary," Mr Orban said after a meeting with the Taoiseach at Government buildings today.
"We understood it was not against enlargement, a lot of psychological circumstances were incorporated into the decision of your people," Mr Orban added. "The psychological background of the Hungarian people is very similar to yours."
Mr Orban, on a whirlwind tour of several EU capitals, also said that when Hungary does join the EU, it does not want to join as an unequal member facing a transition period of more than a decade.
Mr Ahern said he knew it was enormously important for Hungary and the other EU candidate countries.
He said the Government was trying to address concerns of the Irish people which had prompted the no vote, but would not be drawn on when another referendum would be held.