Hungarian FM: Brussels migration policies creating difficulties for Europeans

Brussels “should immediately stop its aggressive pro-migration policies because they are creating an extremely difficult situation” for European and north African countries, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday, after a meeting of the Hungary-Tunisia mixed committee.

The ministry cited Szijjártó telling a joint press conference with Tunisian counterpart Nabil Ammar that Europe was simultaneously faced with two serious security challenges: the war to the east and waves of migration from the south.

He said it was high time to “turn up the volume in the pro-peace camp” because “failing to do that, louder pro-war voices might … appear to be in the majority, and this is not the case”.

Szijjártó talked about the dramatic increase in food prices and a severe grain supply crisis in Tunisia and other parts of the world. He said the effects of the armed conflict in Ukraine could destabilise an already fragile region and result in further security challenges.

“Looking beyond the European or transatlantic bubble … we see that the majority of countries in the world want peace,” he said. “And we’re glad to welcome the foreign minister of a country today that, like Hungary, is also part of the global pro-peace majority.”

He said Hungary was in a special situation due to its geographical location, being subject to the dual pressure of the war to the east and migratory waves from the south.

“Unfortunately, we are witnessing migration gaining fresh impetus because the decision in Brussels which forced a mandatory resettlement quota on Europe is essentially an invitation to migrants,” he said. This, he added, created “an extremely difficult situation” not only for European countries but also for north African countries along migrant routes, because they are under the threat of being “overrun” by the migrants who “show no respect for their sovereignty and legal regulations”.

He called for greater support from Brussels for the protection of Tunisia’s borders, adding that if necessary, Hungary was willing to offer this bilaterally.

Szijjártó noted that trade between Hungary and Tunisia hit a record high of EUR 260 million last year, while so far this year it has increased by 22 percent. Tunisia presents Hungarian companies with great opportunities, and their products are much sought after, he said, noting the areas of agriculture and the food industry, medical equipment and water management.