The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade has officially protested the fact that during the negotiations on the UN’s Compact for Migration the European Union put forward as a common EU standpoint something with regard to which there is no consensus between the 28 member states, in a letter to the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
At a press conference in Budapest on Saturday, Péter Szijjártó said this was an “unprecedented and scandalous case” and Hungary is awaiting action on the part of Federica Mogherini to ensure that nothing similar can ever happen again, and is expecting an explanation of how this situation could have come about.
“It makes no difference what pressure is exerted on Hungary, the Hungarian position will not change: the country will protect its southern borders, the security fence will remain in place, no illegal immigrants will be allowed to enter Hungary and the security of the Hungarian people is the only thing that matters”, the Minister highlighted.
“The fact that the series of negotiations on the UN’s Compact for Migration has begun means that international pressure on Hungary to change its stance on migration has increased”, he explained. “In view of the fact that the fundamental proposal being put forward by the UN is at odds with Hungary’s interests, the possibility had been raised that Hungary might exit the talks, but following consultations with our Visegrád Group (V4) partners, Hungary has decided to remain and attempt to change the migration package”, he reminded the press.
According to Mr. Szijjártó, as pressure increases, some large international parties are “not even bothering to keep up appearances”. “This week the EU contravened fundamental European regulations and the stipulations of the European treaties by trying to force the European position onto Hungary, the EU ‘wanted to use coercion’ to ensure that there is a common EU standpoint on the migration package”, he said.
“According to EU regulations, the EU can only put forward a common position on international issues if all 28 member states are of a similar opinion, a majority is not sufficient”, he explained. “Despite this, the head of the EU delegation in New York put forward his standpoint in the name of the European Union, after which he attempted to place pressure on the diplomat representing the Hungarian Government to explain his position”, he explained.
According to the Foreign Minister, this is proof of the fact that the EU “will stop at nothing” to force its immigration policy onto Hungary. “Furthermore, the debate on the EU position was only set to take place at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers on 19 March, but the EU has put it forward already”, he added. Mr. Szijjártó told the press that at the next round of talks on 12 March, he will be personally representing the position of the Hungarian Government in the United Nations.
In reply to a question concerning the fact that French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a national consultation with European citizens with relation to issues that affect the future of Europe, Mr. Szijjártó said: “If there is a government in Europe that can be proud of the fact that it regularly asks for the opinion of the people, then it is the Hungarian Government”. The Minister said that for the moment it was impossible to know anything concrete about the consultation that the French head of state is proposing, but if President Macron wants to achieve tax harmonisation within the EU then that would result in “brutal tax increases” in Hungary, and accordingly the Government is not supporting such efforts.
(MTI)
