“The Hungarian Government will do everything in its power to ensure that the ’Soros Plan’ and the related measures cannot be forced onto countries that do not want it”, Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács told Hungarian news agency MTI on Monday.

Mr. Kovács, who issued a press statement following a background discussion in Vienna with the participation of Austrian and German journalists, spoke about the fact that as is usual at these regular press events, the issue of illegal migration was again at the centre of discussion.

“Hungary is perhaps the European Union member state that is putting forward its standpoint with regard to this issue in the most consistent manner. “From the very beginning the Government has represented a firm and clear standpoint according to which it rejects the fact that anyone should view what is happening at Europe’s borders as an opportunity or attempt to organise migration”, the Government Spokesperson said.

“The country has also put forward proposals for solving the problem. In September 2015, then in early 2016 in the Prime Minister’s six-point plan, and finally in the Schengen 2.0 plan, Hungary has outlined how illegal migration can be stopped through joint European action”, he continued. “The majority of these proposals have since been realised, and negotiations on the introduction of other elements are in progress”, Mr. Kovács told the press.

During the background discussion we also spoke about the fact that a new National Consultation will be launched on the “Soros Plan”, he said. “The plan, ‘which was given the name by George Soros himself”, and the elements and details of which he has spoken about on several forums, exists”, he said. According to the Government Spokesperson, it is clearly visible how the elements of the plan are being reflected in the institutional and political plans that are appearing “in Brussels, and a few Western European countries”.

“The Hungarian Government will do everything in its power to ensure that the ’Soros Plan’ and the related measures, which exceed the spheres of competence of European institutions, cannot be forced onto countries that do not want it”, Mr. Kovács highlighted. “Such measures include the quota system, against which not only Hungary, but the other countries of the Visegrád Group (V4) have also protested strongly”, he added.

Mr. Kovács also said that topics of discussion with Austrian and German reporters had included Germany’s parliamentary elections, which were held on Sunday. The Hungarian standpoint is that “we only become involved with the decisions of other countries’ citizens if they have direct consequences with regard to us”, he said, adding that “The most important thing is how the Germans have decided and how the Austrians will decide, and Hungary will respect these decisions”.

According to the Government Spokesperson, the comments and questions put forward by the reporters also made is clear that “Austria has also realised” that firm Hungarian action against migration has had tangible results in the country.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)