Orban: Education policy remains open to foreigners despite migrant crisis

Budapest, December 10 (MTI) – Hungary’s education policy will remain open despite the migrant crisis and “we continue to welcome international students”, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday, adding the government will expand the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship scheme.

Orban told a reception for Stipendium Hungaricum recipients that they have all arrived in Hungary in a regulated way, they abide by the country’s laws and relations are based on mutual respect.

Addressing students from Muslim countries, he said Hungarian politics are based on Christian roots and the teachings of Christianity prohibit an anti-Muslim stance. “We reject any politics of that kind.”

He said the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship scheme will be expanded to include 80 countries instead of the current 45, and the government has already made available the required resources to the ministry.

Hungary represents a tough and resolute position in the migrant issue, rejecting uncontrolled and unregulated inflow but while this stance will be maintained, international students will continue to be welcomed, he said.

“They will be safe here and under our protection and according to the rules of our hospitability,” Orban said.