Border controls have been consolidated, and the occupancy rate of reception centres has significantly decreased thanks to the statutory changes introduced at the beginning of July, the chief advisor for the Prime Minister György Bakondi said.

In his evaluation, the measures aimed at eliminating illegal stay in Hungary have brought stability and efficiency, and the occupancy rate of alien policing centres is 41 per cent, while the occupancy rate of refugee centres stands at around 60 per cent. The Hungarian internal security situation is stable, he stated, welcoming the fact that Austria and also the V4 Member States are assisting the Hungarian border protection efforts with police units. He added: thanks to the increasingly coordinated international cooperation, the efficiency of the elimination of people smuggling organisations is also improving.

The chief advisor further said that attempts to exert pressure have intensified, inter alia, on account of the increased activities of civil organisations. Upon speaking about these, he remarked: the performances, marches and hunger strikes all target the media.

The chief advisor also reported: a number of untrue claims are being made regarding the proceedings of the authorities, despite the fact that migrants are not exposed to atrocities of any kind.

In reference to the incidents in France and Germany, Mr Bakondi described the series of terrorist attacks which took place between 14 and 26 July as unprecedented, which, in his view, indicates a deterioration in the internal security situation in Europe. By his account, the perpetrators underwent a swift process of radicalisation, some of them arrived in Europe as illegal immigrants, and had received training at some point in the past, and their background is characterised by the views of radical Islam. There is reason to presume that a number of sleeper agents are also being activated, he added.

The chief advisor pointed out: the facts appear to confirm that uncontrolled illegal migration involves dangerous and grave public and national security risks. According to the Hungarian position, immigration should not be reduced, but should be stopped, and the protection of the external borders constitutes the basis of the protection of the people.

Mr Bakondi urged the revision of Brussels’ migration policy and strong cooperation between the secret service agencies. The organised taking in of migrants, the quota system, the penalisation of the countries which are not willing to take in migrants and the centralisation of decision-making powers in Brussels are unacceptable for Hungary, he pointed out, adding that the referendum to be held on 2 October, too, serves to achieve that the Hungarian people should decide on issues of great significance.

The chief advisor also stated that Hungary takes back those illegal immigrants – for instance, Kosovars and Albanians – who genuinely entered the European Union here for the first time, and transports them back to the country of departure, but refuses to take back those who are presumed to have arrived here via Greece.

Regarding the international situation, he said that the centre of gravity in migration is shifting towards the Italian shores, due to the closure of the Balkans route. There are 57,500 migrants in Greece at present, around a hundred migrants arrive in Macedonia every day, and some 300 to 500 in Serbia.

Citing UN data, he also pointed out that some 250,000 people have arrived in Europe this year, and succession is ample: 3 million migrants are awaiting in Turkey, and another 1 million in Libya whose intended destination is Europe.

Upon speaking about the local data this year, Mr Bakondi reported a permanent increase, and stated: there were 4,965 illegal border crossers in the first quarter, and 10,553 in the second quarter. Up to 26 July this year there were 17,823 border breaches on the Hungarian border, he added, remarking: since the entry into force of the new regulations in July, the police and defence forces have prevented 2,237 violent border crossing attempts. 24,160 asylum requests have been submitted in Hungary this year, and 301 applicants have received protection of some kind.

(MTI, kormany.hu)