Strengthening Schengen crucial for Europe’s future, says Szijjarto

Budapest, September 18 (MTI) – Thirty to thirty-five million migrants are said to be heading towards Europe, therefore strengthening the continent’s borders is crucial, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an interview to the Friday edition of daily Magyar Idok.

The European Union has neglected the protection of its borders, Szijjarto said, adding that European leaders seem to be afraid to “call a spade a spade”, and it is easier for them to criticise those who do. The minister said a number of European leaders are acting based on the “false reporting of the international media”.

This could lead to serious problems because European politicians are still refusing to admit the challenges they are up against, Szijjarto said. He said Hungary would “make it clear” that Europe is not in a position to take in hundreds of thousands or millions of economic migrants.

“We can only handle the crisis if we uphold and strengthen the Schengen system,” Szijjarto insisted.