Semjen: Maert closing statement approved by consensus

The closing statement of the Hungarian Permanent Conference's (Maert) 18th plenary meeting was approved by full consensus on Friday, deputy prime minister in charge of Hungarian communities abroad Zsolt Semjen said. A consensus unusual in Hungary has developed between the major political parties and the organisations representing ethnic Hungarian communities beyond the border, Semjen told a press conference. The only party that failed to attend the meeting even if it had been invited was Ferenc Gyurcsany's Democratic Coalition (DK), he said. All participants agreed that it is right to grant Hungarian citizenship, voting rights and autonomy to ethnic Hungarians abroad, Semjen said.