Distribution on the basis of mandatory quotas “has always been a red line” for Hungary, and in this Austria is one of its most important allies, Judit Varga, head of the Ministry of Justice which is also responsible for EU affairs told the Hungarian news agency MTI on Friday regarding the European Commission’s migration and asylum pact presented two days ago after she received in her office Karoline Edtstadler, Austrian Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution at the Federal Chancellery.

She added that the new migration proposal, cooperation between the two countries at the time of the coronavirus epidemic and the future of Europe were in the focus of their meeting conducted in an amicable atmosphere.

Regarding the migration and asylum pact presented on 23 September, Ms. Varga said distribution on the basis of mandatory quotas has always been a red line for the Hungarian government, and in this Austria is one of its most important allies.

Ms. Varga said Hungary’s position related to migration has been widely known ever since 2015, but any kind of criticism against those who argue for taking migrants in has never been a part of that.

“We – as we are a sovereign state – expect not to be told whom we would like to live together with in our own country,” the Minister laid down.

She added that solidarity has different forms; however, the implementation of the new so-called return sponsorship conceived in that spirit gives rise to major concerns.

At the meeting, the two ministers discussed issues related to the fight against the coronavirus epidemic. Due to the fact that the two countries are neighbours and their citizens commute from one country to the other, there is a need for ongoing consultations and mutual data updating in which they count on one another’s assistance, Ms. Varga said.

According to her information, the Austrian Minister thanked her “for the smooth communication and cooperation”.

At the meeting, the Ministers also touched upon the future of Europe and the two-year series of conferences about the issue scheduled for this autumn.

“Europe needs change,” Ms. Varga stated which, by her account, her Austrian counterpart confirmed as well.

They further agreed, the Minister said talking to MTI, that “it is possible to talk about our differences” and it is therefore a common interest that this should take place through the involvement of our citizens. She mentioned that last week the Ministry of Justice and the Mádl Ferenc Institute of Comparative Law held a joint conference on the topic for the second time with the participation of well-respected European politicians.

(Ministry of Justice / MTI)