The Mayoress of Valencia, Rita Barberá, received Edit Bucsi Szabó, who for the past two years has held the post of Ambassador of Hungary in Spain. She visited our city and discussed with the Mayoress the relations that this European country maintains with Spain and, more specifically, with Valencia, the city that lies on the river Turia. The meeting, celebrated in the Pompeian Room of the Council Hall, was also joined by the Honorary Consul of Hungary in Valencia, Andrés Goerlich.

At the beginning of this official meeting the Mayoress gave the Ambassador a traditional Faytanar inkstand and a book about the city 'Vivir Living Valencia´, "to know all the activities that can be done during the day." Finally, the Ambassador signed in the Golden Book of the city, and the Mayoress of Valencia praised both her good Spanish pronunciation and her handwriting.

During the meeting, the Ambassador showed interest in local projects and initiatives that have strengthened the international projection of Valencia and highlighted the change the city has undergone in recent years. "Valencia has many assets now," she stressed, admiring the progress in "technology and innovation."

In addition, the central European country of Hungary debuted in the European presidency on 1st January this year, thus taking over from Belgium. And, for the first time in the history of the European Union, the presidency has been developed as a team: Spain, along with Belgium and Hungary, has had the responsibility to participate in the new trio system of rotating presidencies for eighteen months, from January 1st 2010 until June 30th 2011.