EU should reimburse half of Hungary’s border protection costs

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is asking Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, in a letter that the Brussels Commission should make a 50 per cent contribution to Hungary’s border protection costs which have amounted to EUR 800 million, that is, some HUF 270 billion to date, János Lázár, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office said at the press conference Governmentinfo 96 which he held jointly with Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács.

According to Mr Lázár, in the context of European solidarity, the issue of border protection should also be mentioned, and solidarity must likewise be manifested in practice.

Consequently, the EU, too, must assume a share of the costs incurred by Hungary, he said, and indicated in answer to a question: if Brussels pays, the funds will be returned to the central budget.

“We would like to see solidarity manifested in specific actions, rather than in mere messages”, he stated.

He stressed: Hungary has adhered to the protection of the European Union’s Schengen borders ever since the outbreak of the migration crisis, and with the construction of the border fence and the training of border guards – which were financed by Hungarian taxpayers –

Hungary does not only protect itself, but every citizen of the continent against the flood of illegal immigrants. It is no exaggeration to claim, he said, that the safety and security of European citizens are also protected by Hungarian police officers and soldiers.

 

He further reported that the Commission had already provided assistance for quite a few countries: Greece has already received one half of the promised EUR 1 billion, Italy has been given EUR 656 million, and Bulgaria will receive EUR 100 million. It is time that Hungary, too, should submit its request, he said.

Plan of construction of camps in Libya coincides with Hungarian position

Mr Lázár also said: the plan of the construction of camps in Libya, the repatriation of migrants to their countries of origin and the elimination of the causes of immigration coincide with the Hungarian position. He reiterated that the Hungarian Government suggested the installation of hotspots already two years ago. The issue of the setting up of camps is on the agenda in Libya where migrants would be required to wait and to comply with the relevant procedures, he added.

He further confirmed that the Government had extended the state of crisis caused by mass immigration – which would have expired on 7 September – until 7 March. He pointed out that 773 persons had crossed the Hungarian border illegally up to 30 August, while in the absence of the fence, the numbers would be similar to those observed two years ago.

The Minister also told the press: the European Commission and Germany have „launched a campaign” against Poland and are applying double standards in relation to the Poles. Hungary reassures the Polish people and government of its support, he pointed out, adding: they call the country to account over things which operate in other countries as standard practices. It is unacceptable that the European Commission should launch political campaigns against Poland, and Germany should try to push them into a corner, he highlighted.

 

 

In answer to a question concerning the quota lawsuit, he said: if following the decision of the European Court expected to be released next week the Hungarian Government is unable to come to an agreement with the European Commission or has any doubts, the case will be repeatedly presented to the court as the present lawsuit is merely about whether the quota decision complies with European law or not.

 

The letter of Prime Minister Orbán can be found here.

(MTI, photo: Zoltán Máthé)