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Migration, security global challenge, European commissioner Avramopoulos says in Budapest
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Budapest, March 28 (MTI) – The issues of migration and security are by now not only European challenges but global ones too, and no single country can handle them alone, Dimitris Avramopoulos, European commissioner for migration, home affairs and citizenship, told the press in Budapest on Tuesday, after talks with Interior Minister Sándor Pintér and Justice Minister László Trócsányi.
Two years ago scattered initiatives on how to handle the migration wave were put forward, he said. Now, however, there is a comprehensive approach and Hungary is a part of this, the commissioner said, adding that the European Union maintains is dedication to keeping Europe safe.
Efforts to strengthen external borders and start cooperation with third countries have been successful, Avramopoulos said. Thanks to a well-functioning agreement with Turkey, the number of arrivals has dropped drastically. The migrant route through the western Balkans has also stabilised but it is necessary to continue monitoring it and fighting against human smugglers in cooperation with Europol, he added.
A common European border and coastline guard service works with 1,350 officers and talks with Serbia will be started next month in order to enable the guards to also work there, a move that will also benefit Hungary, Avramopoulos said.
New measures requiring checks on all entrants at the EU’s external borders, including EU citizens, will contribute to the security of these borders, he said and expressed hope that fast progress can be made in this area in the next few months.
He said that meeting the challenges of migration requires common and coordinated efforts because anything that happens in Syria can also be felt in other countries, including Hungary, not only in Greece and Italy.
Commenting on Tuesday’s talks, he said Hungary’s new legal regulations connected to migration and the new measures to be applied were also discussed. In a meeting held in a friendly and positive atmosphere, it was agreed that a working team of experts would be set up in order to ensure that EU regulations are met and common goals are achieved, he added.