Both parties “will be governed by goodwill” at the talks, Orbán insisted, adding that “there is no reason for anxiety”.

Concerning the future of the CEU, which critics of the bill see as jeopardised if the motion is passed into law, the prime minister said: “We will ask the Americans what they want”.

Orbán insisted that 27 foreign universities in Hungary, including the “Soros university”, contravene Hungarian regulations, and the bill before parliament was designed “to fix that”.

If the bill is passed into law, such foreign universities or colleges could only operate in Hungary if governed by an inter-governmental agreement.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Illyés Tibor