Of the thirty roads that traverse the Hungarian-Austrian border, we are talking about possible “restrictions” on the part of Austria with relation to only six, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in a statement to Hungarian news agency MTI on Thursday following talks with Governor of the Austrian state of Burgenland Hans Peter Doskozil in Eisenstadt.

Mr. Szijjártó declared that the rumours that Austria will be closing the majority of roads leading through the Hungarian border are false, adding that only one of the six roads in question is tarmacked, the rest are dirt roads.

“The working group set up to deal with the road issue is continuing its negotiating work while taking into account the interests of local communities living on both sides of the border. From Hungary’s perspective, unrestricted border crossing is the goal”, he added.

The Minister pointed out that on average the 365-kilometre Hungarian-Austrian border may be crossed legally ever 12 kilometres.

“This is a good figure in Central European comparison in view of the fact that the average distance between border crossing points within the region is 40 kilometres. The Western European average is 2.5 kilometres, however”, he added.

Mr. Szijjártó announced that the foundation stone of another new border crossing point will be laid in Kőszeg on Friday, and preparations for the construction of three further cross-border roads paid for out of EU funding is also continuing, as set down in various agreements.

(MTI)