György Bakondi, Chief Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, has told Hungarian television channel M1 that Hungary is continuing to monitor the migration situation, with special regard to the movement of migrants arriving in Turkey and setting off from the country on a new route.

He pointed out that Hungary is seeking to prevent the emergence of a migration wave similar to that of last year, in the event of a change in relations between Turkey and the European Union.

Mr. Bakondi said that the migrant routes have changed significantly. Migrants are attempting to illegally cross the borders from Turkey into Bulgaria or into mainland Greece, and their numbers already exceed those arriving by sea.

Mr. Bakondi also told Kossuth Rádió’s “180 Minutes” programme that it is in the interests of Hungary that hundreds of migrants do not arrive at the Hungarian border. Therefore a Hungarian contingent is still on duty on the Serbian-Bulgarian and the Serbian-Macedonian borders. In addition, in order to stabilise the border situation Hungary is providing its neighbouring country with all the possible financial, technical and personnel assistance available.

He confirmed that the position of the Government of Hungary remains unchanged: external Schengen borders must be protected, and to this end Hungary will do everything it can.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)