Hungary, McDaniel College sign agreement

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

This was the first such agreement signed under recently passed legislation, commonly referred to as the “lex CEU” because it is believed by many to target the George Soros-founded Central European University. Under the new law, universities based in countries outside the European Union need an inter-state agreement in order to operate in Hungary.

“Those who want to come to an agreement with the Hungarian government can,” Szijjártó said after the signing. His comment was most presumably a reference to CEU; the government maintains it is not targeting the university, and has criticized it for fearing its “privilege”. The minister added: “If someone seeks to come to an agreement, rather than creating political hoo-ha, they can reach an agreement with the Hungarian government very swiftly with respect to their continued operations,” kormany.hu reported.

The parties laid down in the agreement that the university will issue degrees to its students in Budapest – for whom it provides four-year undergraduate training in English – within the framework of its U.S. accreditation, kormany.hu reported. The internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the agreement under the Hungarian legal system will be carried out by November 15, the minister said.

Szijjártó also met with the Maryland State head of Department of Education, the head of the International Division and the deputy head of international business, kormany.hu reported.