The Defence and Law Enforcement Committee of the Hungarian National Assembly held an extramural session at the Röszke border crossing point on Monday, 19 July. The meeting was also attended by Chief of Defence Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő.

During a press briefing held in a break of the committee’s extramural session at the Röszke border crossing point, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Defence and Law Enforcement Committee Lajos Kósa stated that the barrier on the southern border of Hungary had been completed with the measures that came into force on 5 July. The Member of Parliament told the press that both the border barrier and the transit zone are operating properly, and the policemen and the soldiers are doing an excellent job. Thanks to this, the border of the Schengen Area is well-protected in the southern part of Hungary, therefore no one can cross it to illegally enter Europe, Lajos Kósa emphasized.

Prior to the extramural session, the committee paid a visit to the transit zone as well. The migrants coming from Serbia are to submit their asylum applications at this point, and after considering them, the Hungarian authorities will make their decision. All those who illegally enter the area of Hungary and are captured within eight kilometers of the border will be escorted back to the transit zone by members of the police and the military.

Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő also attended the committee session. The Chief of Defence told the press that the Hungarian Defence Forces are providing the best possible circumstances for the soldiers serving along the border. To this end, they have conducted a survey involving 4,000 participants, so that they can use its results to improve the servicemembers’ supply conditions.  Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő stated that the personnel deployed on the border are doing their work in fully compliance with the laws of Hungary.

(Ministry of Defence)