Katalin Novák, State Secretary for Family and Youth Affairs and the deputy leader of Fidesz, held talks with center-right parties in Italy about the protection of European borders and the preservation of traditional family values on Tuesday, a day after several EU countries agreed in Malta on the distribution of migrants.
According to MTI, Novák held consultations with representatives of center-right Forza Italia, and right-wing Liga and Fratelli d’Italia. She met, among others, with Lorenzo Fontana, the Liga’s former minister for family affairs and former minister of European affairs.
Novák said the current opposition right-wing was very strong in Italy, with polls showing that they would win if the elections were held now. She added that these Italian parties were the natural allies of Fidesz.
She added that Hungary and Italy are allies also in migration considering that Italy with its sea borders must also protect Europe’s sea borders and Hungary has the same task with land borders. “It was this way when the Liga party led by Matteo Salvini was in government in Rome and it will be this way when they regain power,” she said. “It is important that we maintain links during the time in between,” she added.
Novák said the Hungarian government could not accept the distribution quota for migrants, adding that “we do not agree with the distribution mechanism included in the Malta agreement and we will not support any form of mandatory settlement quota.” At the same time, Hungary is ready to offer help on the spot or help return people who stay in Europe unlawfully, as economic migrants, to their places of origin.
Photo credit: Magyar Nemzet