Serbia, Belgrade – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited Serbia and met with Serbian Prime Minister Vučić. Orbán recalled his full support for Serbia’s candidacy to the EU, and expressed his will to help Serbia in all ways, particularly to handle the migrant influx, which according to him, will most probably grow again during autumn.
On Monday, September 5, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán went to Serbia to meet his counterpart Aleksandar Vučić. The two PM discussed mainly Serbia’s application to the European Union, which Orbán supports. Whereas some are “trying to block this, Hungary does not agree with them,” he said. “Only merit counts.”
The Hungarian PM gave a speech about his “duty to protect Hungarians”, and explained that “since it is obvious that there is a correlation between the deterioration of public safety, terrorism and the extent of illegal migration, it’s therefore [his] duty to do everything [he] can ensure the safety of Hungarians”. He then added that nevertheless, he would not act “in a way that causes trouble or a disadvantage to Serbia”.
Viktor Orbán continued his speech by explaining why Hungary needs the referendum on the migrants quotas. “We need the referendum is necessary since I expect that there will be increasingly serious debates between Hungary and Brussels in the coming months”.
“We uphold the right to remain unchanged. We don’t want to change,” said the Hungarian Prime Minister. “We want Hungary to remain Hungary. Regarding her religion, culture and ethnic composition as well,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister described an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on stopping mass migration as “fragile.” He said it is in Hungary’s interest to help prevent a pileup of migrants in Serbia as well, AP reported.
“It cannot be ruled out at all that we will face challenges similar to those last year on this route,” PM Orbán warned. The prime minister was, of course, referring to the massive influx of more than one and a half million migrants into Europe in 2015, many of whom used the Balkan route to enter the EU through Hungary.
Since the Balkan nations closed down their borders in March the migrant numbers have decreased, but countries fear it could pick up pace once worsening weather averts the migrants from using the more dangerous Mediterranean Sea route, wrote About Hungary.
PM Orbán recently announced plans to build a tougher razor-wire to fortify the borders as part of Hungary’s anti-immigration policies, and recruit 3,000 more police officers.
“We must prepare for a difficult autumn”, concluded Viktor Orbán.
