Central Europe has been successfully renewed and has a competitive economy, making it is a good destination for foreign investors, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a lecture held at Istanbul's Marmara University on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister highlighted that Hungary has regarded the economic crisis as an opportunity for change and is performing better today than the European average in several areas.

DownloadPhoto: MTI/APHe also noted that Parliament has passed a new Fundamental Law and a new Penal, Civil and Labour code over the past three and a half years.

For Europe, the recovery from the crisis necessitates deeper integration among eurozone states. At the same time, countries outside the eurozone should be granted greater freedom to shape their economic policy. In addition, the integration of Turkey and the Balkans needs to be supported, a free trade agreement should be signed with the US, and relations with Russia need to be placed on new foundations, Viktor Orbán said.

DownloadPhoto: Barna BurgerPrior to the lecture, the Hungarian Prime Minister was granted an honorary doctorate by the University in recognition of his political activities and efforts to promote Turkish-Hungarian relations.

At the event, the University of Kaposvár concluded a cooperation agreement with Marmara University, in addition to which the city of Kaposvár signed a declaration of intent on cooperation with the Üsküdar district of Istanbul.

(Prime Minister’s Office)