Szijjártó: “Migrants Now Use Automatic Weapons”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó called attention to the migrant crisis in Geneva: “The fact that some migrants and people smugglers recently fired automatic weapons not only at each other but also at Hungarian border guards creates a completely new situation, and therefore the international community should focus on addressing the root causes of illegal immigration rather than encouraging it.”

Speaking at a panel discussion of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the minister said that Hungary is currently located on the most active immigration route in Europe and therefore faces strong migratory pressure. He stressed that last year, around 275,000 illegal border crossings were recorded in Hungary, and 155,000 so far this year.

He also explained the completely new situation that has emerged, with authorities facing “unprecedented aggression” from migrants and people smugglers, who in several cases have attacked not only each other, but also Hungarian border guards with automatic weapons.

We must finally make it clear that this kind of phenomenon and behavior is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Border violations must be considered a criminal act, an attack on national sovereignty, and must be dealt with accordingly,”

he added.

In addition, Szijjártó underlined the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens and expressed hope that the IOM could serve as a platform for reasonable dialogue, as opposed to the debate in Brussels, where “migration is encouraged and the business model of people smugglers is supported.”

The European Union is practically a magnet for migration. We must finally tackle the root causes instead of incentives,”

he said.

Moreover, he cited economic challenges, armed conflicts, food and water supply, and climate change. “Where there is war, we must create peace. Where there is an economic crisis, we need to launch development programs. Where there is a food and water crisis, we have to ensure access… and transport,” he said.

He also emphasized the need to strengthen global cooperation in the fight against climate change. Hungary would also play its part, as the government sees this cause of protecting the Earth in its present form for future generations, not as a political issue, but rather as a practical one. In this context, he also pointed out that Hungary is one of the twenty countries in the world that has been able to increase its economic performance while reducing its emissions.

Via: MTI, Featured photo: Photo: Facebook/Szijjártó Péter