It is in our common interest that all Member States abide by EU legislation. Order and legality must be restored at the borders of the European Union.

Since Sunday evening, all vehicles capable of being used for people smuggling are being stopped for control checks at Austria’s eastern border crossings. Developments at the Hegyeshalom border crossing-point prove that no European country will allow the uncontrolled arrival in their territories of illegal migrants – including genuine refugees.

With regard to the Hungarian government’s measures, it is important to emphasise that Hungary is not only protecting its own borders, but also the external borders of the European Union, as the protection of Schengen borders is the responsibility of all Member States. If we do not succeed in restoring order and legality here, illegal migration – including that of refugees, who are truly in need of protection – will become completely unmanageable.

The situation, in which tens or hundreds of thousands of people arrive in the EU illegally, without the authorities knowing for certain who they are or where they have come from originally, is unacceptable.

It is not true that those who have already entered Hungary are allowed to travel onwards freely. European regulations require that a person wishing to go on to Austria or Germany, for example, has the necessary documents.  People at Budapest’s Keleti railway station demanding to be allowed free passage are demanding something which is not possible under European legislation.

In light of the above, criticism aimed at Hungary for carrying out its obligations is inexplicable. The Hungarian Cabinet would like to see unified European action that is acceptable to all Member States as soon as possible.

Hungary cannot afford to wait for agreement on such unified action, and therefore Hungary will do everything possible to defend the Schengen borders and restore order there until a joint European decision is made.

Hungarian authorities have conducted operations in full compliance with European and national laws in the situations which have emerged in Hungary over the last few days – especially at Budapest’s railway stations. European legislation clearly stipulates that Schengen borders must be protected, and that citizens of non-EU countries may only leave the territory of a Member State if they have valid travel documents and – where applicable – a visa issued by the intended country of destination. These clear EU laws have determined the actions of the Hungarian authorities over the past few days, including interventions at Keleti railway station.

The problem is being caused by Germany’s recent announcement of a more flexible attitude towards illegal immigrants declaring Syria to be their country of origin. Despite the provisions of EU legislation, media reports on this matter have built up the hopes of illegal immigrants. The resulting confusion has often created unclear circumstances and situations which are difficult to manage. The Hungarian government requests that Germany clarifies the legal situation, in order to eliminate this ambiguity and controversy.

(Prime Minister's Office, MTI)