EC: Hungary with limited progress in National Reform Programme implementation.

EC: Hungary with limited progress in National Reform Programme implementation. Hungary has made limited progress in the implementation of its National Reform Programme (NRP), the EC said in its 2006 Annual Progress Report on Growth and Jobs . On the positive side the commission welcomed recently undertaken corrective measures for budget deficit reduction both on the revenue and expenditure sides. Among the strengths in NPR’s implementation were also outlined the reform of the unemployment benefit system and the lift of the restrictions to market entry in certain areas (more specifically the easing of the regime in the retail pharmaceutical segment). In order to meet the commitments made at the 2006 Spring European Council, the EC recommends strict implementation of the fiscal consolidation, with “increased reliance on the expenditure side”. Among the most important recommendations for the sustainability of the public finances are steps for further limitation of early retirement as well as reduction in the number of new people receiving disability pensions.