Hungary is open to negotiations with the United States government and consultations with the Central European University (CEU), Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affiars and Trade, has said.
The minister revealed that a US deputy state secretary visited Hungary last week, conveying the standpoint that the US does not wish to interfere with talks about the CEU’s future. Up until now, however, this position has not been confirmed on higher levels of the US administration.
Kristóf Altusz has been assigned to hold talks to ensure that all higher education institutions have the same legal background and competitive position in Hungary, the minister added. The government hopes that the other parties are willing to accept the talks, he said, adding that CEU is not the focus of the issue. There are over 20 foreign universities in Hungary.
Meanwhile, Hungary's Parliament is in the middle of a four-day session over the legislation on the transparency of foreign-funded NGOs.
The session started on Tuesday and members are discussing NGOs and their purpose in Hungary. Recent reports prove NGOs supported by Hungarian-born American financier George Soros have intensified their “attacks” on the Hungarian government and their funding should be transparent.
Today's parliamentary session will include discussions of an amendment to increase competitiveness and an amendment to the law on news broadcasting.
The four-day session will conclude on April 24.