Hungary intends to play an active role in forming the European Union’s new migration policy, but the Government needs to take steps of its own before the new rules are finalised, Minister of Justice László Trócsányi told news portal szegedma.hu on 24 August 2015.

Hungary is at the sharp end of the European field when it comes to calling for strict measures to halt illegal migration, the Minister said, adding that Hungary “wants to have its voice heard when it is time to put together the European Union’s new migration policy.”

Minister Trócsányi noted that the EU does not have a common policy for dealing with the migrant crisis, and certain Member States face greater migration pressure than others. The 28 Member States will have to come to a compromise concerning the EU’s new policy, “which will not be easy,” the Minister said.

Referring to the temporary border barrier Hungary is constructing on its border with Serbia to stem the flow of illegal migrants, Minister Trócsányi said the country was forced to act as the migrant crisis “has created an emergency situation in the region.” The Minister emphasised Hungary’s borders should only be crossed at the legal points of entries because “having 1,500 people entering the country illegally on a daily basis is unacceptable.”

Minister Trócsányi noted that an extraordinary session of the Hungarian Parliament will be held in September to amend the Penal Code by introducing stricter rules on illegal migration.

(Ministry of Justice)