Szijjarto: Lack of stability in Afghanistan could trigger migration

Szijjarto insisted that the risk of migration was also increased by “Brussels’s pro-migration policies”. “Rather than working to stem migration they are preparing to sign a migration agreement with African and Caribbean countries,” he said, adding that the idea of “sponsored return” was another name for mandatory migrant quotas.

The minister said that some 3 million Afghans had left their country since 2001, making up 10 percent of illegal migrants arriving in Europe.

Szijjarto highlighted Hungary’s participation in NATO’s Afghanistan mission since 2004, saying that “we can be proud of Hungarian troops” who not only sought to build security and stability but contributed to the training of Afghanistan’s military, too. He made a special mention of the 7 Hungarian soldiers who died in operations in Afghanistan in the past 17 years.

Szijjarto said that human and drug smuggling used to be a major source of income in Afghanistan and warned that unless stability in everyday life is ensured the country could again become a hotbed of terrorism.

Szijjarto also noted that last year alone 449 people had been arrested in Europe on suspicion of terrorist activities, while 10 jihadist attacks were committed and another 4 had been thwarted.

Concerning protection against illegal migration, Szijjarto said that Afghanistan and Mali could be the first defence line, as the first efforts to stem migration from the Sub-Saharan region and the East could be made in those countries. The Mediterranean and Turkey are the second line of defence, while the Western Balkans and Hungary’s border fence are two further lines.

Szijjarto warned that Afghanistan would be “left alone” with the international troops being withdrawn, and the impacts could determine the future of Europe.

Fidesz: EU should focus on creating effective border protection system

The European Union should concentrate on creating an effective border protection system that can prevent illegal immigrants from entering the bloc, Barna Pal Zsigmond, a lawmaker of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, said after taking part in a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg on Thursday.

“It’s sad that the Brussels elite is constantly putting forward new proposals concerning mandatory migrant redistribution quotas, which they could force onto member states, Zsigmond told MTI after the session focusing on migration.

Hungary did not build a fence on its border to be isolated from the rest of Europe, but to protect its borders and the European way of life from illegal immigrants, Zsigmond said.

“Brussels is constantly trying to shatter the unity of countries that oppose immigration, but Hungary is committed to its policy of providing help where it is needed rather than importing trouble to Europe,” he said.

Zsigmond also said that it was “hypocritical” of Greece to appeal to the EU for financial aid to help combat migration pressure while expecting other member states to take in the migrants stranded in the country.