This article was published online by the Magyar Nemzet on 3 November 2021.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wrote a letter to the President of the European Commission addressing the escalating migrant crisis. Magyar Nemzet had a look at the letter: the Prime Minister made it clear to Ursula von der Leyen that
Europe’s “fragile stability” exists thanks to Hungary and the other EU border Member States that have successfully protected us.
As Viktor Orbán explains in the two-page letter, Hungary alone has spent HUF 590 billion thus far from its national budget on border protection.
Over time, the Hungarian border protection measures have become exemplary. By 2021 we can see that, in addition to Hungary, physical border barriers were or are being built in Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that on October 7, a total of 12 Member States demanded in a joint letter that EU budget funds should be allocated towards border fence construction as this is a proven effective protective measure. “I have also underlined this in my statement at the last European Council meeting” – he stated.
Viktor Orbán believes that now is the time for the European Commission to do what it promised years ago: “recognise that the protection of the external borders is an indisputable manifestation of European solidarity and that the efforts of Member States in this context deserve recognition and support.”
The significant material, human and financial resources that Hungary has invested in the protection of the internal security of the European Union over the past six years cannot be ignored. Therefore, I once again call on the Commission to reimburse the costs of the Hungarian border protection measures
– said the Prime Minister, adding: “the financing of which was refused based on the Commission´s incorrect interpretation and application of the relevant rules.”
He emphasizes in the letter that, in light of the Afghan crisis and the hybrid threats from Belarus and others, we can determine that pressure from the migrant situation will not be alleviated in the near future.
Actually, the exact opposite is imminent and we must expect yet another significant migration crisis.
– Viktor Orbán stated. He pointed out to Von der Leyen for the umpteenth time: “time has proven that the only effective solution is physical barriers to secure European citizens against the mass arrival of illegal migrants.”
To close his letter, the Prime Minister writes: “In our recent conclusions, we called upon the European Commission to propose the necessary changes in the EU legal framework that would also ease the burden of those at our external borders, including Hungary. These changes should be carried out in addition to financing the past and presently arising costs of physical border barriers.”
Hungary has decided to take full responsibility for stemming illegal migration along the southern external border section of the European Union. Now, it is the responsibility of the EU to fairly contribute to our efforts and expenditures.
– stated the Prime Minister, concluding his letter.
