György Bakondi, Chief Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, has told Hungarian television channel M1 that a new fence will be built on Hungary’s southern border which will be higher and stronger than at present.

Mr. Bakondi explained that Hungary is testing a new type of fence on its southern border, the plan being for system improvement.
He added that electronic devices on the existing fence have been improved: thermographic cameras, night vision equipment, spotlights and video cameras are in operation. A parallel road has also been completed, on which vehicles are able to move rapidly in all weather conditions. The Minister of Interior has inspected a preliminary section of the new fence, which will be higher and stronger, and which cannot be cut with simple bolt cutters. This will enable the system to resist much greater pressure than earlier, and allow the border to be protected effectively with reduced manpower, Mr. Bakondi said.

He stressed that in recent years the European Union “has not provided a cent” for these purposes.

In reply to a question about the inauguration of the new US president Donald Trump, Mr. Bakondi said that the main areas of cooperation between the Unites States and Hungary can be on the international political scene, within NATO and on European security issues. However, there can also be cooperation in the areas of the economy and science, for instance.

He said that those who listened to the new president’s inauguration speech could hear that security has been given a major role – in accordance with the President’s campaign promises.  He added that a significant shift in the American viewpoint can be expected: politically correct ideas will be secondary, a new leader from the real world of the economy will be in the White House, and it is very likely that issues affecting most people – such as the national interest and security – will be given priority.  In many ways the position of the new American leadership is similar to the security policy of the Government of Hungary, he added.

(MTI)