At the ICON economic policy forum discussion on the economic policy impacts of migration held in Budapest on Monday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said that migration is by no means an answer to European employment and demographic challenges.
The Minister underlined that, from both a political and an economic policy point of view, it is irresponsible to state that migration is the answer to European employment and demographic challenges, because there are sufficient reserves in the European job market for Europe to be able to address employment challenges internally. He said that the current unemployment rate in Hungary is 6.7 per cent, which is considered low compared to other European states.
The Minister said that the solution to current employment challenges in Hungary is not to be found in migration, but in economic measures such as training and mobility enhancement. Should some in Europe disagree with this and see migration as a good answer to these challenges, that is “their business”, he said. Just because Germany believes this, for instance, does not mean that it can be the basis for a common European migration and asylum policy, Mr. Szijjártó pointed out. He added that even though guest workers are seen as key to dealing with problems in some countries, this cannot be forced on the rest of Europe’s states.
Mr. Szijjártó emphasised that family policy is the solution to demographic challenges. The solution for the whole of Europe – but certainly for Hungary – can be effective family policy: policies promoting the birth of more children. The Minister said that for families to be able to have children they must be supported, and the Government of Hungary has already done much to this end.
Hungary is capable of handling demographic challenges through successful family policy, and probably Europe is also capable of this, he said. He added that it is in the interest of Hungary to have successful Hungarian communities in successful neighbouring countries: Hungarian national communities should be successful and strong in the countries where they live. Slovakia and Serbia are the two neighbouring states with which Hungary now enjoys “its best ever relations”. He said that the reason the construction of the border fence has not led to bilateral conflict with Serbia is that the two countries are led by governments which understand and respect each other, and it is clear to them that this is not a bilateral issue.
Mr. Szijjártó also said that the current global situation is particularly unfavourable “in terms of the concept of eastward opening”. The Hungarian standpoint on the migration crisis has been intentionally misrepresented in Arab societies, and partners and governments often need to be provided with truthful information on Hungary’s attitude. The Minister added that a dynamic cooperation with Turkey is necessary for the competitiveness of the EU.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/MTI)
