“Hungary has officially announced its exit from the adoption process of the UN Global Compact for Migration”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in Budapest on Tuesday.

“It has become apparent that there is an irresolvable conflict with relation to migration between Hungary’s position and the approach of the United Nations”, the Minister explained to reporters.

Hungary will continue to uphold its migration policy, “no global compact can change this fact”, in the interests of which we have taken the necessary official steps, he explained.

There is a fundamental difference in approach between the UN and Hungary, “we view migration processes from a different perspective, and accordingly we see them differently”. “While according to the UN migration is an unstoppable and good process that should be supported, Hungary views it as a bad process that is bringing danger to Europe and Hungary”, he pointed out, adding: “ Accordingly, our conclusion is also different: the UN believes migration should be encouraged, but according to Hungary’s position it must be stopped”.

Mr. Szijjártó said that the Global Compact sets out “fine goals”, such as taking action against people smugglers, but its overall effect is at odds with even these few positive goals in view of the fact that the document, which inspires migration, is only good for people smugglers, who as a result will be able to convince even more people to set out from home because they will definitely be admitted since there are already global guidelines to that effect.

“According to Hungary’s position, it is unnatural to replace the populations of continents, and accordingly global solidarity should be focussing on how to stop migration”, the Foreign Minister noted.

As he explained, the Global Compact includes obligations that Hungary will not fulfil, including the fact that training courses should be organised for migrants both prior to departure and following their arrival, that they should be afforded preferential terms to allow them to send money home more cheaply, that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must be given an opportunity to help migrants lodge complaints, that receiving capacities must be increased, and that crossing borders must be regarded as a human rights issue and not a security issue.

Hungary has introduced “exactly the opposite measures” in the interests of the security of the Hungarian people, he stressed.

In reply to a question, Mr. Szijjártó also spoke about the fact that the United States had not taken part in the rounds of negotiations on the Global Compact from the very beginning, and several countries expressed their dissatisfaction with the Compact at the end of the series of negotiations; no negative consequences are expected as a result of the Hungarian announcement.

(MTI)