"We need to forget our reticence as we have the will, the ability, and the skills to cooperate with Western European universities," Palkovics told Hungarian journalists at a two-day summit in Brussels.

Commenting on lawmakers' recent decisions to transform a number of Hungarian universities from state-run institutions into ones operated by foundations, Palkovics said the universities will be "in excellent hands".

Palkovics briefed Gabriel on Hungary's cooperation in plans to establish a campus for China's Fudan University in Budapest.