Hungarian government: No reduction in migration pressure expected

“We see no reason that would result in a reduction in migration pressure in the near future”, György Bakondi Chief Security Advisor to the Prime Minister said at a press conference in Budapest.

“According to the decision made by the European Union’s border protection agency Frontex in mid-October in Warsaw, which Hungary did not vote in favour of, only five hundred of the 1500-strong EU border and coast guard will actually be performing border protection duties”, Mr. Bakondi noted.

This shows that the priority “is not protection, but the registration and interviewing of people who arrive, and participation in their redirection if a decision is made”, just as the planned number of ships will also only be capable of rescuing people who arrive by sea”, he added.

The Hungarian Government’s standpoint continues to be that the external borders of the European Union must be protected, EU regulations must be enforced and “we must put a stop to the state of affairs that has led to millions of people of unknown identity having crossed the border and entered the territory of the European Union without any kind of control”, he explained.

“The internal security of the EU and its member states cannot be achieved without suitably rigid border controls”, he stressed.

“Hungary has a vested interest in returning to the Schengen system, bot following the last session of the Council of the European Union it is clear that this will not occur by the 15 November deadline”, he stated.

Photo: MTI

Mr. Bakondi highlighted the fact that there are important conceptual differences between Brussels, Greece and Italy, and the other Member States, because both Athens and Roma have an interest in the earliest possible redistribution of the illegal immigrants who arrive in their countries, while in Brussels “the emphasis continues to be on the quotas”.

“Accordingly, there are concurrent debates within the European Union on the goals, the means to be applied and on principles, such as whether what Hungary is doing along its stretch of the Schengen border at an estimated cost of 150 billion forints (EUR 490M) so far can be regarded as solidarity”, he said.

“Every nation state of the European Union has begun to protect itself from illegal migration and its related negative effects”, Mr. Bakondi added, noting that eight countries have re-established internal border controls and some have reinforced their secret services, police forces and armies.

With relation to the document in preparation by the current holder of the EU Presidency, Mr. Bakondi pointed out that the proposal of the Slovakian Presidency, on what other solution may be found instead of the quota system that serves the security of the people of Europe, is being awaited with great expectations.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI/kormany.hu