According to Chief Security Advisor to the Prime Minister György Bakondi, the Schengen border controls are not enforced either in Spain or in Greece, and therefore nation states, including Germany and Austria, are compelled to maintain controls, even if only periodically, in the interest of their countries’ security.

On Friday on the public service television news channel M1 Mr Bakondi was asked about the fact that, according to data published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Friday, this year the largest number of migrants and refugees have arrived in Spain.

He said that the Schengen regulations apply to Spain and Greece which should mean that the external borders of the European Union cannot be crossed without checks. Those who are not entitled to enter should be required to leave, and as a result, there would be no need for controls on the internal borders.

This is not the case either in Spain or in Greece, he added.

He indicated that the majority of migrants arriving in Spain move on to France, and from there to Britain or Germany. In his view, this means a “misinterpretation” of asylum.

Mr Bakondi also highlighted that Italy had demonstrated that it was possible to control sea borders as well, and this had immediately resulted in a fall in migration at the Italian shores.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)