Published: December 07 2023
Hungary's border protection strategies have set an example for Europe, according to Bence Rétvári, parliamentary state secretary of the interior ministry. He highlighted the importance of protecting the shorter section of the European Union's external land borders against illegal migration.
Key Points on Hungary's Border Protection
- Demonstrated Success: Hungary's border protection measures have proven effective in preventing illegal migration. Rétvári emphasized the need for other countries, such as Bulgaria and Greece, to adopt similar strategies.
- Video Evidence: During a meeting of the EU's Justice and Home Affairs Council, Rétvári played a video showcasing the attacks Hungarian police officers face from armed illegal migrants on the southern border. The video left attendees in "stunned silence" and highlighted the stark reality of the situation.
- Shift in Perception: Rétvári noted that there is a misconception among some decision-makers that border guards should assist illegal migrants in submitting asylum applications, rather than prioritizing border protection. The video served as a wake-up call, challenging preconceived notions.
- Lack of Media Coverage: Rétvári pointed out that western European media often fails to report on the events taking place on Hungary's southern border. This lack of coverage can lead to a lack of awareness among decision-makers and hinder the implementation of necessary measures.
- Regional Cooperation: Hungary is hopeful that central European member states can come to an agreement on the importance of protecting the EU's external border in the region. Cooperation among countries is key to addressing the challenges posed by illegal migration.
By learning from Hungary's experiences and implementing effective border protection measures, other countries in Europe have the opportunity to better manage and address the issue of illegal migration.
Questions & Answers
What is the length of Hungary's external land borders? Hungary's external land borders span 440km.
What is the purpose of Hungary's border protection measures? Hungary's border protection measures are aimed at preventing illegal migration.
What did Bence Rétvári, parliamentary state secretary of the interior ministry, say about Hungary's border protection? Bence Rétvári stated that Hungary has demonstrated how to protect the border effectively.
Where did Bence Rétvári play a video showcasing the attacks on Hungarian police officers by armed illegal migrants? Bence Rétvári played the video at a meeting of the EU's Justice and Home Affairs Council.
What was the reaction to the video shown by Bence Rétvári at the meeting? The video was met with "stunned silence" and many attendees took photos or requested a copy of it.
What did Bence Rétvári say about the perception of border guards' role in western Europe? According to Bence Rétvári, in the minds of some decision-makers in western Europe, the job of border guards is not to protect the border but to help illegal migrants submit their asylum applications.
What did Bence Rétvári say about the media coverage of Hungary's southern border situation? Bence Rétvári claimed that western European media does not report on what is happening on Hungary's southern border, and as a result, those incidents are not acknowledged by decision-makers.
What is Hungary's stance on the EU's planned migration directive? Hungary is hopeful that the central European member states can reach an agreement on the need to protect the bloc's external border in the region.
