Experts hold roundtable discussion on migration

Budapest (MTI) – Europe is capable of resolving its migration crisis, but sealing borders will not solve anything, former foreign minister Peter Balazs said at a roundtable on migration.

Balazs said the enormous migrant flow had shocked Europe and has put greater burden on certain countries than it has on others. At the same time, Europe has experienced horrible acts of terror, prompting some people to draw parallels between the two phenomena, the former minister said.

The fact Hungary has now stemmed the flow of migrants across its borders by erecting fences does not mean that there will be any fewer migrants making their way to western Europe, Balazs said, adding that the crisis requires an international solution because Germany is incapable of resolving the crisis on its own.

Balazs praised German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s migration policies and “wisdom” saying that she has been able to create balance between the Social Democrats who support migration and conservative CDU/CSU politicians who oppose it. He said he has seen numerous positive examples throughout Europe of muslims integrating into European societies as well as some negative ones, particularly in France.

Maria Schmidt, head of the House of Terror Museum, where the roundtable was held, said the crisis would tear Europe apart. Schmidt too said border fences will not solve the crisis, adding, however, that she does not see a viable alternative, due to “idiotic remarks” made by the German chancellor. She said the majority of migrants was coming to Europe in search of a higher standard of living. The German chancellor’s policies are destabilising Europe and until she changes her approach, it will be impossible to resolve the crisis, Schmidt said.