Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács has told Kossuth Rádió’s “180 minutes” programme that the sum, which according to the 2016 draft proposal of the European Commission, should be paid by member states for every single illegal migrant they refuse to relocate, means a work of lifetime for the majority of Hungarians.

Mr. Kovács said that the Commission proposed that member states that refuse to participate in the mandatory relocation of illegal immigrants should pay a so-called solidarity fine of 78 million forints (EUR 250,000) per head with respect to each unaccepted migrant.

According to the Government Spokesperson, this shows the intention that all those countries should be punished who do not agree with Brussels’ migration policy. One such sanction could be the reduction of area-based and cohesion funding. He highlighted that Hungary considers it unacceptable and will not change its standpoint.

Mr. Kovács also said that in the upcoming period, illegal migration will be on the agenda on almost all levels of EU decision-making mechanism.

It is up to us all, but primarily to the Prime Minister who must represent Hungary’s interests firmly and with the necessary support at EU Council meetings.

Mr. Kovács further said that this is why as many people are asked to fill in the National Consultation questionnaires as possible just like before, since the answers do not only provide an idea of what they think for those, who represent the Hungarian standpoint, but ammunition as well.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)