Orbán: Roma community an asset for Hungary

The government views Hungary’s Roma community as an asset, rather than a liability, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at a meeting of students and alumni of the Christian Roma Professional College Network on Saturday.

“In our view, the Roma are not a helpless minority living off of benefits, that is, the money of other taxpayers . They are Hungarian citizens for whom we can provide a livable future and opportunity right here in their homeland,” Orbán told the event held at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

The common belief in Hungary had long been that the social inclusion of the Roma community was a lost cause, the prime minister said. But this event is about demonstrating that this is not that case, “that there is in fact hope, one just has to work for it”, he added.

The government believes that those who seek an opportunity should get it, because the world will only be fair if everybody gets a chance, Orbán said.

The prime minister said that the only two paths for social mobility in Hungary were work and education. And if the two connect, then that is a bonus, he added.

Hungary’s economic progress of the last several years has meant that anyone able and willing to work in Hungary can find themselves a job, but “in order for there to be a will, the people have to see that working is worthwhile,” said Orbán.