The European Union is experiencing dramatic moments in its history as due to the exit of Britain, it has lost its global leading role, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stressed at a press conference held after the summit of the Visegrád country group’s (V4) heads of government in Warsaw. The Hungarian Prime Minister had talks with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Warsaw. Poland has held the V4 Presidency since 1 July.
The European Union has been downgraded to a regional player in light of the worst possible response to the migration crisis by the European Commission, which has undermined one of its member states, Viktor Orbán said, referring to Britain. The task is now to define what the EU should do to regain its leading global role, Orbán said. In answer to a question, Viktor Orbán also said that there is a clear correlation between migration and the increased threat of terrorism. “Those who deny this harm the security of European citizens”, he added.
The EU should clarify its position on migration and define objectives, conveying these clearly and honestly, he said. Hungary’s position is clear: illegal migration should be halted by setting up refugee camps and asylum centres beyond Europe’s borders, he said, calling the European Commission’s EU resettlement framework for handling refugees “unacceptable”. Hungary refuses to give up sovereignty and control of its own borders. The EU proposals would “systematically eliminate” these, he added.
Polish PM Beata Szydlo summed up the common Visegrád position relating to the post-Brexit situation by saying that the EUs institutions are at present failing to meet the expectations of the European people, and therefore a new debate should be opened in Europe regarding this in the wake of the referendum resulting in Britain’s exit from the EU. Slovak PM Robert Fico took the view regarding the increased security risks that are related to the migration crisis and result from immigration that we should finally talk about the threats openly. Czech PM Bohuslav Sobotka said he expects decisions, in consequence of which the EU becomes more “human and secure.”
via hungarymatters.hu and kormany.hu photo: Balázs Szecsődi – kormany.hu