Brussels, 23/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - The head of the ALDE group at the European Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, is insisting that Hungary respects freedom of the press. This declaration follows the Hungarian Parliament's decision on Tuesday to introduce a new law increasing government control of the media, despite criticism made by organisations defending freedom of the press. On Thursday, Mr Verhofstadt declared, “the time of Pravda is over. This new law is unacceptable. Hungary must explain and the Commission must act”. He considers that Hungary, “is against all European Union standards” with the stance it is taking. He also explained that, “Hungary is about to start its first EU Presidency. In that function it not only needs to accept and endorse but also defend all democratic principles that we commonly share, including freedom of information and press”. (B.C./transl. fl)