Hungary’s justice minister: EU’s external border must be strengthened

Valletta (MTI) – Unless the external borders of the European Union are strengthened, the flood of migrants could lead to walls going up between EU member states, Hungary’s justice minister, László Trócsányi, said in an interview to the Sunday issue of The Times of Malta.

“In 2015 Europe was perhaps naive but it is now confronting reality … We believe in the border-free Schengen zone, but for this to work properly the EU’s external borders must be strengthened,” he said.

In the interview given on the sidelines of a meeting of EU justice and interior ministers, he said the fence on Hungary’s southern border not only protected the country but the rest of Europe too.

“We are committed to protecting the external borders … If we don’t deal with security appropriately we will see that walls will emerge between members of the EU,” he said.

Addressing criticism of Hungary’s fence, Trocsanyi noted that Spain maintained walls round its enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in north Africa.

Referring to Hungary’s role in the dismantling of the Iron Curtain, he said Hungarian valued freedom that ensued after the Communism disintegrated. “The freedom of movement within the EU … is important for us. This is one of the most important added values of being a member of the EU.” But this freedom could only be maintained by ensuring the external borders are protected, he added.