Orban: Hungary is planning to set up a fence along certain sections of its border with Croatia

Vienna, September 16 (MTI) – Mandatory quotas to distribute refugees would be against fundamental interests of all European Union members, however, if the EU passes that proposal into law, Hungary must accept it, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview published online by Austria’s Die Presse and by the German Die Welt on Wednesday.

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PROS AND CONS OF THE QUOTA SYSTEM

We are ready to discuss quotas, but exclusively on a voluntary basis and only when the influx of migrants is over, Orban insisted.

In his interview, Orban also said that Hungary is planning to set up a fence along certain sections of its border with Croatia.

Answering a question suggesting that such construction takes time, Orban voiced confidence that “Hungary now has the experience”.

Orban added, however, that “real power is not constituted by a fence” and referred to Hungary’s new laws introducing strict punishment for illegal border crossing. “We have sent the police and the military to the border. This should make it clear that though migrants have the opportunity to apply for asylum, they must observe our regulations,” he said.

Orban referred to the Geneva Convention, and said that asylum-seekers do not have a choice between countries. They are entitled to protection, but that protection should be granted by neighbouring countries and then they can apply to move onto a third country.

Asked if Hungary would send refugees back to countries like war-stricken Syria, Orban said “the international community cannot aim to accept and accommodate all refugees; all Syrians leaving Syria cannot be an objective”. “We need to make political efforts to make Syria again a liveable country,” he said.