At a press conference prior to a civil forum in Székesfehérvár on Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said that the last month’s terrorist attack was not directed against Belgium, but against Europe and the EU.

Mr. Szijjártó also said he believes that it is right for some EU Member States to maintain a certain level of terror alert, so that these and similar events can be prevented.  He stated that the Government of Hungary will maintain protective measures for as long as is necessary for the security of the Hungarian people.

The Minister pointed out that the terrorist threat in Europe has never been so high: the arrival of thousands of migrants in an uncontrolled manner is clearly increasing the level of terror threat and weakening public safety.

Mr. Szijjártó pointed out that efforts to integrate migrants who arrived in the past have not been successful, as parallel societies have developed in “certain countries” as a result. Migrants and their descendants have not become integral parts of society, which also brings risks, he said.

Talking about construction of the fence, Mr. Szijjártó said that following the Turkish-EU deal and the change in the behaviour of the Western Balkan transit countries, migration routes are also expected to change. He said that Hungary is prepared to establish a new physical barrier, and preparations for this at the Romanian border have already been made.

At the forum in the city hall’s ceremonial hall – attended by some 150 people – the Minister said that it is hypocrisy to state that migration is not increasing the terrorist threat. He warned that this threat has not gone away, because 30–35 million people live in close proximity to Europe, “who can easily make sudden decisions to set off”.

(MTI)