Informal consultations are underway between Budapest and Washington on Hungary receiving prisoners currently held being at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, although a result is only expected after a general decision from the EU.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lajos Szelestey told Magyar Hírlap on Tuesday that “we are willing to examine the issue but nothing else has happened relating to the possible reception of the Guantanamo prisoners.”

US embassy press attaché Jan Krc said it is certain that “our allies’ help will be of fundamental importance for us being able to close down the prison.”

A debate on the matter is still underway in Brussels, where Socialist MEPs are pressing for the granting of refugee status to the prisoners. Some 30-40 inmates at Guantanamo may move to Europe, according to Magyar Hírlap.