On Monday, Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács told public television channel M1 that cooperation is needed to protect the Schengen borders.

The Government Spokesperson said that the Schengen area cannot be protected from inside. There is only one way to ensure this: through the reinforcement of the external borders, he explained.

Hungary has protected its borders, and this method works, he said. If we respect the Schengen regulations, we can stop current events, Mr. Kovács stressed.

He also pointed out that at the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 4 December, EU justice ministers argued for maintaining the unity of the Schengen area, which ensures free movement without border controls within the EU. They also said that the only way of effectively handling the migrant crisis is if Member States comply with the respective regulations, Mr. Kovács explained.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister)