Viktor Orbán in Montenegro: Balkans migration route must remain closed

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has offered Hungary’s help to Montenegro in connection with difficulties arising from handling migration.

Montenegro, by protecting its borders, also protects Hungary and the whole of the European Union, Orbán said after talks with counterpart Dusko Markovic in Podgorica on Tuesday.

Orbán told a joint press conference that Hungary has adopted a stance of “identity protection”.

The only successful move in connection with the handling of migration has been to seal the Balkan route, he said, adding that this achievement is associated with Hungary. The Balkan route must remain sealed shut and all countries in the Balkans must be protected, he added.

In response to a question, he said Europe is committing a serious mistake by countenancing moves that can be interpreted in Africa and the Middle East as invitations. The EU is sending out ambiguous signals by saying “don’t come” while simultaneously sending an invitation. That people are drowning at sea shows that Europe’s policies are politically nonsensical and at the same time inhumane, he added.

Orbán said next year’s European parliamentary elections would be a vote on migration.

Commenting on Hungary-Montenegro relations, he said the two countries have no conflicts of interest either in terms of tactics or strategy.

Montenegro has every chance of joining Europe’s economically most successful political and geographical area, which he said was central Europe. The Hungarian government views Montenegro as a central European country, he added.

Orbán said Montenegro has a real chance to swiftly join the European Union. Podgorica is essentially ready for membership, he said, adding that he disagreed with anyone who saw political, economic or legal obstacles to accession.