Tackling migration ‘sovereignty issue’ for Europe, says Hungarian president Áder

Migration for the European Union and Hungary raises the question whether “we can protect our borders”, President János Áder said, addressing the meeting of the Arraiolos Group in Malta on Friday. 

In his address, Áder called for a collective effort in controlling the community’s borders, and said that European legislation concerning migrants must not curb the rights of member states. “Accommodating immigrants is a national competency,” he said.

Although several countries see immigration as a resource to tackle their demographic problems, Hungary has “chosen a different path and cannot be forced to follow suit,”

Hungarian president insisted.

The president said that refugees in need must be assisted, but added that “seven out of ten illegal migrants arriving in Europe have chosen to come to the continent for economic reasons”. He also suggested that migration cannot be handled purely as a humanitarian issue and pointed to security and criminal ramifications.

“Masses of people are arriving uncontrolled, as well as illicit drugs and weapons, and the number of crimes has increased,” he said.