Measures taken two years ago still needed to curb migration, says Orbán’s cabinet spokesman

“The measures introduced in the interests of protecting the border continue to be necessary; it is thanks to these that the number of migrants entering Hungary illegally and in an uncontrolled manner has fallen drastically, Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács declared at a press conference on Friday at the border crossing station in Röszke.

At a press conference to mark the second anniversary of the closure of the Hungarian-Serbian green border, Mr. Kovács stressed that “In 2015, Hungary did not expect assistance or a financial contribution; it performed its duty in its own interests and to protect Europe”.

The Government Spokesperson recalled that after the first phase of the technical barrier along the Hungarian-Serbian border had been completed, the green border was closed on 15 September 2015, meaning that from then it was only possible for migrants to enter the country legally.

Several hundred armed migrants then attacked Hungarian police on duty at the road border crossing station at Röszke. “This was the only time force had to be used to protect police officers and the Hungarian border”, Mr. Kovács stated.

“There is continuous migration pressure on our borders; without the measures that are still in place today, the situation would be much worse”, the Government Spokesperson said.

Chief Security Advisor to the prime Minister, Mr. György Bakondi told reporters that Hungary had succeeded in establishing a solid border security system, which serves the internal security of both Hungary and the European Union.