Hungary, European Commission closer on higher education law, says government official

Brussels (MTI) – Hungary and the European Commission have moved closer in their views on Hungary’s amended law on higher education, state secretary for education László Palkovics said after discussing the law with EC Vice President Frans Timmermans in Brussels on Tuesday.

Speaking to MTI after the talks, Palkovics said he had told Timmermans that contrary to press reports, the amendments do not affect the autonomy or operations of universities operating in Hungary.

Palkovics said Timmermans had understood the Hungarian government’s reasoning behind the amendments, which tighten regulations on foreign universities operating in the country.

The state secretary said he had stressed that the government had no intention of closing down any universities. This includes the university registered and accredited in Hungary under the name “Közép-Európai Egyetem” and the Central European University (CEU), which he noted is registered and accredited in the US while operating in Hungary.