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PM Orbán says Hungary strives to be “a good steward” in serving as a homeland for all Hungarians around the world

The prime minister touched on Hungary's booming economy, the migrant crisis and Ukraine's education law during a speech at the Hungarian Diaspora Council annual assembly

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said that Hungary strives to be “a good steward” in serving as a homeland for all Hungarians around the world.

The prime minister addressed the annual assembly of the Hungarian Diaspora Council in Budapest on Thursday and said the diaspora communities are both a resource and an asset for Hungary’s national pride.

PM Orbán thanked the diaspora for their support and help over the past years in building and holding together Hungarian communities throughout the world. 

The prime minister said he was looking forward to welcoming the one millionth applicant for formally receiving the Hungarian citizenship under the government’s fast-track procedure on December 5th, the anniversary of the national referendum held on dual citizenship in 2004.

Hungary has “got on its own feet, sorted out its finances and economy” and needs “no one else’s money” now, he said. The prime minister said that over 4.4 million Hungarians are working and paying taxes now. The changes are visible not only in statistical data but also in everyday life, he added.

PM Orbán also touched on the country's border protection meausres. He said that while defending its own borders and sovereignty, Hungary is also protecting Europe and Western culture.

The prime minister also said Ukraine’s education law that scrapped minority-language education above the 5th grade as a “sad business” and "minorities should not renounce their already acquired rights."

PM Orbán said that the pro-family policy pursued by Hungary’s government is fundamental for the nation’s survival. Raising a family has always been at the heart of Hungarian society and the objective is for Hungary’s fertility rate to go up to 2.1 percent by 2030, he said.