Published: December 15 2023
Hungary's Finance Minister, Mihály Varga, has made a request to the European Union (EU) for reimbursement of the costs incurred by Hungary in protecting its external border. In a letter to the European commissioner for budget and administration, Varga stated that the original intention was for member states to ensure border protection using common funding, but this has not been fully fulfilled due to the migration crisis. Hungary has spent over 1.6 billion euros on border protection since 2015, while EU contributions have only covered a small percentage of the costs.
Hungary's Efforts in Border Protection
In his letter, Varga highlighted that Hungary has successfully prevented one million illegal border crossings since 2015 and has taken action against 100,000 illegal migrants this year alone. The country has adapted to the increase in illegal migration and believes that its efforts should be recognized by the European Commission.
Request for Reimbursement
Varga believes that it is fair for the European Commission to share in financing the increased costs of Schengen border protection. He called on the EU to reimburse Hungary for the money it has spent on protecting the external border, stating that the migration crisis has created a situation where the original legislative intent of member states ensuring protection using common funding has not been fully realized.
Increased Migration Pressure
The Finance Minister pointed out that migration pressure is increasing and emphasized the need for greater support from the EU. Hungary is calling for a fair recognition of its efforts and a more significant contribution from the European Commission to cover the costs of border protection.
Conclusion
Hungary's Finance Minister has requested reimbursement from the European Union for the costs incurred in protecting the country's external border. With significant expenses dedicated to border protection and increasing migration pressure, Hungary believes that the EU should recognize and financially support its efforts.
Questions & Answers
What is Hungary asking the EU for reimbursement for? Hungary is asking the EU to reimburse the money it has spent on protecting its external border.
Why is Hungary requesting reimbursement from the EU? Hungary believes that the protection of the EU borders was based on a consensus dating back many decades, with the original intent for member states to ensure protection using common funding. However, the migration crisis has led to a situation where the original legislative intent has not been fully fulfilled.
How much has Hungary spent on border protection since 2015? Hungary has spent more than 1.6 billion euros on border protection since 2015.
How many illegal border crossings has Hungary prevented since 2015? Hungary has prevented one million illegal border crossings on its southern border since 2015.
What action has Hungary taken against illegal migrants this year alone? Hungarian border guards have taken action against 100,000 illegal migrants this year alone.
What percentage of the border protection costs has the EU contributed? The EU contributions have barely exceeded 1 percent of the total costs.
How has Hungary responded to the increase in illegal migration? Hungary has adapted to the changed situation and successfully prevented illegal migration.
What does Hungary believe would be fair from the European Commission? Hungary would consider it fair if the European Commission recognized its efforts and took an appropriate share in financing the increased Schengen border protection costs.
