European People’s Party: Hungary government wants to comply with EC conditions
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Budapest (MTI) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has stated that his government wants to comply fully with the European Commission’s conditions related to amendments to the higher education act, a spokesman for the European People’s Party, among whose ranks governing Fidesz stands, said in Brussels on Saturday.
This means that the Hungarian government must produce a plan, within a month, on how it intends to bring the law in line with the EC’s expectations, Siegfried Muresan said after a meeting of EPP leaders.
The EPP leadership considers it important that Budapest’s Central European University (CEU) be allowed to continue operating “without any kind of restriction”, Muresan added.
Experience shows that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has always been prepared to negotiate and has always complied with European Union rules in the end, Manfred Weber, who heads the MEPs of the European People’s Party, said after the EPP leaders’ meeting.
He said the Hungarian government had been democratically elected and Mr Orban has the right to present his stand; however, in the end, he must comply with the requirements imposed by the European Commission regarding the amendments to the higher education act.
The Presidency of the EPP asked Orbán to honour one of the party’s main principles: academic freedom, Mr Weber said. Shutting down universities is unacceptable, he added.
A statement by the EPP sent to MTI said Hungary’s planned tightening of rules on NGOs as well as the Hungarian government’s “Let’s Stop Brussels” national consultation had come up as well as the higher education act.
EPP President Joseph Daul said that, after an “open and frank” discussion, the EPP Presidency had asked Fidesz and the Hungarian authorities to “take all necessary steps to comply with the Commission’s request”.
“Prime Minister Orbán has reassured the EPP that Hungary will act accordingly,” the statement added.