The foreign minister said that because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the European Union should be prepared for new migration waves and ready to protect its external borders.
Following talks with Nikos Dendias, his Greek counterpart, in Athens, Péter Szijjártó said Greece and Hungary were both protecting the EU’s external borders and that over the past five years both had constantly experienced the challenges, dangers and security risks posed by migration.
However, Minister Szijjártó added that Budapest and Athens disagreed on the concept of mandatory migrant settlement quotas, which he said Hungary opposed in all its forms. “At the same time we’re prepared to provide assistance and development support to the migrants’ countries of origin,” the minister said.
The minister proposed that Hungary and Greece should cooperate in the implementation of jointly financed development schemes aimed at improving the security and living conditions of Middle Eastern Christian communities.
Photo credit: hirado.hu