News in Brief Travel restrictions amended for V4 countries Oct 06, 2020 The Hungarian government has decided to amend restrictions for travellers from countries in the Visegrad Group. Earlier regulations for travellers from V4 countries expired on Sept. 30.
News in Brief FM: Uncontrolled waves of migration pose an even greater danger during pandemic Oct 05, 2020 Minister Szijjártó voiced regret that the EU’s new migration package “makes the same mistakes as the ones that caused a lot of trouble to Europe in recent years”.
News in Brief Hungarian government extends temporary border controls by one month Oct 02, 2020 Gergely Gulyás, Head of the Prime Minister’s Office, urged the public to observe the rules implemented so far in response to the epidemic, underlining the importance of wearing face masks.
News in Brief Police stop large groups of migrants attempting to illegally enter Hungary Oct 01, 2020 Hungarian police have stopped large groups of migrants attempting to illegally enter Hungary using violent means at the Röszke border crossing with Serbia.
News in Brief Hungarian government will decide today on whether to extend controls along country’s Schengen borders Sep 30, 2020 Róbert Kiss noted that the government had decided to temporarily re-introduce controls along the entire Schengen borders, involving 127 crossing points, including five for international transit.
News in Brief Authorities discover three tunnels buried below fence on Hungary’s southern border Sep 03, 2020 Illegal entry attempts are on the rise along the Bács-Kiskun County stretch of the southern border, police said, adding that patrols are set to be stepped up along those sections.
News in Brief Hungary to close its borders to foreigners from midnight tonight Aug 31, 2020 Starting on September 1, the government is re-introducing the border protection measures in force during the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic.
Blog Minister Gulyás: The second wave is here; Hungary closes its borders Aug 28, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács Starting September 1, foreign citizens may not enter the territory of Hungary without a specially justified case.
News in Brief BREAKING - New travel restrictions to take effect starting September 1: No foreigners are allowed entry to Hungary Aug 28, 2020 “All other countries are in the red category; Hungary is green,” Minister Gergely Gulyás said at today’s Kormányinfo session, adding that foreigners will only be allowed to enter Hungary “in the case that it is very necessary.”
News in Brief Chief Security Advisor: Stricter border controls will keep the coronavirus out Aug 24, 2020 Hungary's chief security advisor said imposing border controls is the most effective way to prevent the import of the novel coronavirus from abroad.
News in Brief Here are the new international travel restrictions relating to countries classified as green, yellow and red Jul 15, 2020 Here are the specific rules for international travel to Hungary.
News in Brief Foreign Minister calls for strengthening the EU's external borders Jul 14, 2020 The foreign minister said the coronavirus pandemic may lead to new waves of migration.
News in Brief Government introduces new international travel restrictions Jul 13, 2020 The operative board in charge of containing the epidemic has advised the government to classify countries as “red”, “yellow” and “green”, based on the severity of the situation in each.
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán: Non-EU citizens not allowed entry to Hungary just yet Jul 03, 2020 Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that as the EU opens up travel to Europe for the citizens of 14 countries outside of the bloc, Hungary will keep its borders closed for the time being.
News in Brief Coronavirus Update: Home quarantine rules relaxed for many new countries Jun 11, 2020 Róbert Kiss, Lieutenant Colonel of the Hungarian Police Force, reported today that people can now enter Hungary from the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Serbia, Slovenia and from Friday Croatia without the need for compulsory home quarantine.
Blog Operational Group: All Schengen borders are open Jun 09, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács Border control at all Schengen internal borders has been abolished. Meanwhile, the decision on the resumption of normal healthcare will be made later today.
Blog Operational Group: More than 95,000 jobs have already been saved May 19, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács In the past two weeks, more than 2,700 companies have applied to the government’s wage subsidy program, saving tens of thousands of jobs nationwide. Meanwhile, the coronavirus continues to spread the fastest in Budapest.
Blog Coronavirus UPDATE – PM Orbán: Hungary not allowing Serbian arrivals from Italy Mar 15, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács “Hungary is still not in a position to permit entrance to anyone coming from Italy, including those Serbian citizens who want to return to Serbia,” said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in a video on his Facebook page.
News in Brief Coronavirus Update: Hungary reestablishes border controls with neighboring countries Mar 12, 2020 Hungary will reestablish border controls with neighboring Slovenia and Austria as part of its state of emergency measures. Croatia may soon follow suit.
News in Brief PM Orbán strengthens Hungarian border Mar 02, 2020 The prime minister convened his security cabinet and reviewed security reports, deciding to continue to pursue all measures that protect the border and the Hungarian people.
Blog Sie haben das Recht zu wissen: einige in Brüssel denken, dass unsere nationalen Grenzen ein bedauerliches Hindernis für die Einwanderung darstellen Feb 28, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács Haben Sie gemerkt, wie die Bürokraten von Brüssel von „Grenzverwaltung” statt „Grenzschutz” oder „Grenzverteidigung” sprechen? Dies ist kein Zufall. Das lässt einen grundsätzlichen Unterschied in unserem Ansatz zu Migration erkennen. Für die Vertreter der migrationsfreundlichen Lobby ist Einwanderung ein positives Ergebnis und die nationalen Grenzen sind die Hindernisse.
News in Brief Burgenland re-opens four border crossings between Austria and Hungary Jan 17, 2019 The Austrian state closed 35 out of its 60 border crossings to Hungary in October 2018, but an agreement has now been reached to re-open four
News in Brief V4 to help Tunisia "beef up" its border controls Dec 03, 2018 V4 foreign ministers have agreed to set up an assistance program for North African countries aimed at developing border control capacities with a view to withstanding illegal migration
News in Brief Hungarian police catch 23 illegal entrants as 70,000 migrants head for Europe Oct 29, 2018 Hungary has 1,200 soldiers standing by, ready to be deployed along the border within 24 hours, and another 1,100 within 72 hours
News in Brief Government reinforces controls along Hungary’s southern border after 70,000 migrants head north Oct 26, 2018 Citing interior ministry information, Gergely Gulyás said the thousands of migrants were some 70 kilometers south of the country and Hungary has offered Croatia help in handling the crisis
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán: The Hungarian government will not give up its right to control the country’s borders Sep 18, 2018 “We will not allow anyone to take away one iota of our border control rights,” PM Orbán said during his address at the opening of parliament’s autumn session on Monday
News in Brief Spain and Greece don't maintain Schengen border controls, says security advisor Aug 14, 2018 György Bakondi says other member states are compelled to maintain controls in the interest of their countries' security.
News in Brief Ahmed H has appeal trial set for September 20th Jun 12, 2018 Ahmed H was sentenced in the Szeged Court of Justice in March to seven years in prison and expelled from Hungary for 10 years
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán calls for EU to protect and uphold the Schengen Agreement Oct 16, 2017 The prime minister said Hungary’s and the V4 standpoint on the EU can be summarized by stating that if we want to move forward, we shouldn’t begin by stepping backwards
News in Brief Hungarian government expects further legal disputes with European Commission Sep 07, 2017 “The decision on the mandatory resettlement quota expires on September 26, and further legal disputes are expected concerning whether it must still be implemented following the deadline,' Bakondi said
Blog An Egg Without a Shell, a Country Without Borders Jul 10, 2017 - Mária Schmidt European history is a history of invasions
News in Brief Europe is facing the greatest threat of terrorism of all time Jun 20, 2017 Minister Szijjártó said that due to the threat of terrorism "clear speech and determined action are required in the interests of protecting the people of Europe. Recent events have shown that previous integration models have failed and there are huge tensions in European societies"
News in Brief Hungary says European Parliament should review measures that exonerate terrorists Jun 08, 2017 “International and European Union organizations must provide concrete replies to the question of whether a terrorist can be exonerated," Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said
News in Brief Europe is in the "eleventh hour" when it comes to acting on security May 31, 2017 “Europe no longer has any time to lose; after the terrorist attack in Manchester, it should be clear to everyone that we are in the eleventh hour when it comes to Europe’s security," Hungary's foreign minister said
News in Brief Hungary reluctant to relax laws surrounding illegal immigration May 30, 2017 Hungary's government spokesperson has said that the country is staunchly against any attempt to relax the existing legal framework surrounding the issue of illegal migration
News in Brief Europe is facing a migrant crisis, not a refugee crisis Mar 20, 2017 Hungary is not in breach of European and international laws on refugees, no fundamental human right exists that states everyone is free to choose in which country they want to live
News in Brief 94 asylum-seekers launch hunger strike until they are set free Mar 14, 2017 Hungary's asylum office said that most of those in the reception center in the southeastern city of Békéscsaba were being held because they broke European Union asylum rules
News in Brief Hungary's border fence is protecting the European Union Mar 07, 2017 The new secondary line of defense, stretching for 150 kilometers, will enable the border to be monitored using CCTV and thermal cameras, and other technological equipment
News in Brief Hungary extends national state of emergency in response to growing migrant crisis Mar 03, 2017 Hungary's state of emergency will run until September 7. The reason to keep it in place is that 800,000 people stuck in the Balkans are unable to return to Turkey
News in Brief Hungary forges partnership with Croatia to patrol borders of the two nations Feb 21, 2017 Hungary and Croatia will work together to increase security without putting an extra burden on residents of the two countries. Border crossers will be checked regardless of whether they are entering or leaving the country
News in Brief Hungarian prosecutor calls for tougher sentence for migrant kicking camerawoman Jan 17, 2017 A Hungarian court sentenced Petra László to three years’ probation for disorderly conduct. If she does not commit another offense during that period, the conviction will be dropped
News in Brief Hungary calls for open borders within the Schengen zone Jan 16, 2017 “If Schengen dies, the open economy will also die," warns Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
News in Brief Mystery illness knocks out 110 policemen at Southern border Jan 06, 2017 The symptoms of the disease are acute stomach and intestine system problems mainly nausea, vomiting, stomach ache and cold shivers
Blog Frontex prepares for everything but border protection Nov 21, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács “These people aren’t involved in border protection,” said Prime Minister Orbán of the newly established Frontex unit proposed to the management board. Frontex, of course, is the EU agency that was set up to manage cooperation among national border guards and help secure the EU’s external border. The problem with the proposed, new unit is that it is for anything but guarding European borders and coastlines. Plus, it is ridiculously weak in numbers.
News in Brief Ambassador Bell: The US should not criticize Hungary's immigration policies Nov 21, 2016 We have not seen such a serious migration crisis since the Second World War, Ambassador Bell said
News in Brief Reports of brutality by Hungarian police towards migrants are untrue Oct 21, 2016 "The people who wrote these [reports] have not been to Hungary, or if they did they are lying," the minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said
News in Brief PM Orbán: Hungary’s border policy protects European freedom Oct 20, 2016 PM Orbán said that his government’s stance on mass migration was a positive move to defend the values of European civilization
News in Brief PM Orbán: Without Hungary "Europe would have fallen" by now Sep 29, 2016 Concerning the October 2 referendum on EU mandatory migrant quotas, the prime minister said that not just Hungary's but also Europe’s future would be at stake on Sunday
News in Brief PM Orbán: The EU's forced migration quotas would change Hungary Sep 28, 2016 Prime Minister Orbán said that while the left considers the matter of migrant redistribution an ideological one, the government considers it a national security issue
News in Brief Amnesty's claims that Hungary mistreats migrants is unfounded Sep 28, 2016 The human rights organization had said that attacks against migrants and refugees had become common practice in Hungary. Károly Kontrát dismissed these claims as “completely untrue"
News in Brief PM Orbán: Egypt could add to migrant crisis Sep 26, 2016 The prime minister told EU leaders at a summit in Vienna over the weekend that an agreement should be drafted with Egypt similar to the existing one with Turkey in order to avoid further pressures from the migrant crisis
News in Brief Hungary will refuse entry to returning migrants who did not enter EU in Hungary Sep 22, 2016 It would be “unfair” if Hungary “rather than the rich Scandinavian countries” had to accommodate these people
News in Brief Austria begins plans to erect fence along Hungarian border Sep 21, 2016 Meanwhile, George Soros, the Hungarian billionaire venture capitalist, announced he intends to invest 500 million USD in aiding migrants and refugees
Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s press statement by the Bulgarian-Turkish border [full text in English] Sep 15, 2016 September 14, 2016, Lesovo (Лесoвo)
News in Brief PM Orbán: "Europe's future is not forged in Brussels" Sep 14, 2016 During a border inspection at the Bulgarian-Turkish border, PM Orbán stated that the European Union must listen to the people rather than abide by decisions made in Brussels
News in Brief EU will "face consequences" if they ignore Hungary's referendum Sep 14, 2016 Brussels must respect the people of Hungary’s decision when they vote in the Brexit-inspired referendum on whether to accept migrants under EU quota schemes
News in Brief PM Orbán to inspect Bulgarian border Sep 13, 2016 In view of the increasing migration pressure, Orbán will be holding a joint inspection of the border with his Bulgarian counterpart Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Wednesday morning
News in Brief Over one hundred illegal immigrants arrested over weekend Sep 12, 2016 144 illegal immigrants were arrested in Hungary over the weekend and 280 were detained last week
News in Brief Hungary's future depends on October 2 referendum Sep 12, 2016 The existence of our culture, system of values and millennial statehood is at stake in the October 2 referendum
News in Brief Hungary will only take back migrants who entered the EU through its country Sep 08, 2016 The decline in the number of illegal migrants arriving in Austria is thanks to stricter border protection in Hungary
News in Brief Hungary will help Serbia protect borders against migrant surge Sep 06, 2016 PM Orbán described an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on stopping mass migration as "fragile"
News in Brief Czech Republic sends fifty police officers to help patrol Hungarian-Serbian border Sep 06, 2016 The Czech policemen are assisting Hungary’s border protection efforts as part of a Visegrad Four cooperation initiative
News in Brief Hungary is prepared for the immigration problem Sep 02, 2016 A new fence is to be erected on the Hungarian-Serbian border, new police personnel, and army presence ensure Hungary's full security
News in Brief New border patrols begin today Sep 01, 2016 Illegal migrants are keeping the Hungarian borders under constant pressure and an average of one hundred people per day are aggressively attempting to enter Hungary illegally
News in Brief History proves that Hungary must be protected against new threats Aug 29, 2016 The minister of defense referred to the challenges posed by mass migration and terrorism, stating that “we must do our best to protect the borders of our country and the security of the people of Hungary”
News in Brief PM Orbán: Hungary will build new fences to defend its border Aug 26, 2016 There may soon be a "greater need for security" and the fortified barrier would be able to stop "several hundreds of thousands of people"
News in Brief Hungarian authorities are helping the fight against Islamic extremists Aug 24, 2016 There have been a number of cases where extremists have been smuggled through Europe into Middle Eastern war zones
News in Brief PM Orbán: Hungary is protecting its borders one hundred percent Aug 24, 2016 Despite positive relations with Turkey, Hungary will not allow access to the threatened numbers of migrants from Ankara
News in Brief Migrant Crisis: Hungary welcomes international guest police officers Aug 05, 2016 151 international guest officers have been received this year and 42 are staying in Hungary at the moment
News in Brief One hundred migrants on hunger strike at Hungarian border Jul 28, 2016 Illegal immigrants are demanding that Hungary open its border to allow them passage, and a further 100 asylum seekers are planning to join the protests but police are blocking their path
News in Brief Hungary's border protection is fair, efficient and effective Jul 28, 2016 Hungary maintains its fair, just and legal handling of migrants who seek asylum, and they will be dealt with in a fair, appropriate and humane manner
News in Brief Hungarian government sends its condolences to France following ISIS attack Jul 27, 2016 Terrorism can only be prevented by stopping illegal migration, which is why Hungary protects its own and the European Union’s external borders
News in Brief Hundreds of illegal immigrants march on Hungarian border Jul 25, 2016 More than 300 illegal immigrants are making a 200km trek to try and gain entry to Hungary
News in Brief Europe must improve security to avoid terrorist attacks Jul 19, 2016 Europe has proven to be defenseless in several respects and must be protected at all costs