Orbán told the gathering that Hungary has already increased spending on R&D to 1.4% of GDP, up from 1% in 2010. The prime minister said that ordinary “people in the street” know that the way to return Europeʼs competitiveness to pre-crisis levels is through scientific discoveries, innovation and a supportive economic policy. He said science and politics had a strong alliance, which have already helped Europe “speed forward”.  

Orbán added that Hungary must fight against brain drain, which is encouraged by “a system encouraged by both open and background powers in the world”. He insisted that Hungary will not put up with the “intellectually demeaning situation” that encourages brain drain.