Hungarian foreign minister slams provisions ‘sneaked into’ EU draft on migration policy

Gyöngyöshalász, 2017. április 7. Szijjártó Péter külgazdasági és külügyminiszter újságíróknak nyilatkozik Gyöngyöshalászon, az Apollo Tyres gumiabroncsgyárának avatása után 2017. április 7-én. A külügyminiszter szerint amerikai-orosz megegyezés nélkül nem lehet feloldani a szíriai konfliktust, ám ettõl most vagyunk a legmesszebb. MTI Fotó: Koszticsák Szilárd

Brussels, May 11 (MTI) – After meeting EU counterparts in Brussels on Thursday, Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and trade, highlighted the “grave security risks” posed by mass migration and he criticised provisions “sneaked into” a draft EU strategy paper that present migration in a positive light and oblige member state to act accordingly.

Hungary will only approve the European Consensus on Development draft if it clearly establishes rights and powers for member states to set their own migration policy, he said after a meeting of EU foreign trade ministers. Nor should member states be forced to change their policy and facilitate migration, Szijjarto told journalists.

Regarding the EU debate on the economic effects of migration, Hungary’s view is that member states with a high jobless rate should boost economic growth by tapping reserves in their own workforce, he said.

Szijjártó made clear to his counterparts that a common European development strategy is needed. But it should focus on obviating the root causes of migration. The solution to the bloc’s demographic problems lies in supporting families instead of promoting migration, he said. “Hungary does not want to force on to other member states its view on migration,” he said, adding however that this sentiment should be mutual.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI

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