In the economic crisis that has developed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, millions have lost their jobs; therefore, the employment of illegal migrants has become “a cause for concern” for this reason as well, the Chief Security Advisor to the Prime Minister said on the public service television news channel M1 on Friday evening.

György Bakondi spoke about this in the context of the fact that before the pandemic, some took the view that the stay in Europe of illegal migrants should be legalised because they could then emerge on the European labour market as new workers.

He also observed that workers had been taken to Italy from Eastern Europe for the performance of agricultural work because the migrants staying there did not want to leave the social care system for the realm of work.

The chief advisor highlighted that despite the complexity of the situation in Libya, reinforcing the Libyan coast guard and protecting the Southern borders of Libya are important European interests. He said due to the epidemic even those are now setting out for Europe who previously did not consider this.

Mr Bakondi further spoke about the cooperation of the Visegrád countries (V4: Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary), highlighting that arguments for cooperation have always been more robust than those for loosening relations.

In answer to the question as to whether a possible change in the person of the Polish head of state could result in a change of policy, he said in every Visegrád country guaranteeing internal security and enforcing national interests are such overwhelming national priorities that he does not believe that a change in the person of the prime minister or president of the republic could significantly affect this.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)