The Hungarian border closure provides effective protection, but illegal immigrants continue to arrive in Europe in vast numbers via other routes, Csaba Dömötör, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister told the Hungarian news agency MTI on Thursday, indicating: the southern countries of the EU, such as Spain and Italy, continue to face significant pressure of migration.

He pointed out: it aggravates the situation that some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in a less than transparent manner now openly cooperate with the people smugglers even according to the authorities.

With regard to this, the activities of these organisations had to be restricted in Italy.

The situation that has developed in the southern countries of the EU also poses major risks to Hungary, in light of the fact that Brussels continues to press on with the distribution of the immigrants arriving in Europe among the Member States. In the interest of the implementation of this plan, Hungary is still facing a great deal of pressure, he stressed.

Mr Dömötör referred to the opinion of the advocate general released to the public in the context of the quota lawsuit as a clear sign of the ever intensifying exertion of pressure on Hungary, while he also made mention of the infringement procedures instituted by the European Commission and the threats regarding the withdrawal of EU funds.

He added: the intensified exertion of pressure is in vain, the Government’s position is unchanged.

He stated: instead of relocation programmes, we must first of all protect the borders, and we must take action against all phenomena that may compromise the country’s defence capabilities.

“According to György Soros, the settlement of millions of immigrants in Europe is a good opportunity. By contrast, we take the view that it is an enormous security risk. No one can force us to take this risk”, the State Secretary said.

(MTI)