Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said that those who let in migrants now should consider the fact that their children and grandchildren will live in a different world in the future.
The prime minister made the remarks at a press conference in Brussels after a plenary session of the European Parliament on Wednesday.
PM Orbán said that he sees immigration as being at the center of the plenary debate of the European Parliament. One of the debate’s main topics was the state of fundamental rights in Hungary.
The prime minister stated that in the process of migration two cultures are coming into contact with each other. One of them – European culture – separates religion and politics. The other one, in contrast, holds that the two cannot be separated. Contrary to what many in Europe now think, he stressed, these two cultures will not mix, migrants will not integrate, and there is no chance of a new and better result.
PM Orbán observed that migration is one of the most important issues in the EU. It is a matter of vital importance which creates tensions in the community, but we must strive for unity. “We ask you not to try to force us to live in such a world," the prime minister stressed.
The prime minister claimed that his government’s dedication to the European Union is “unquestionable,” but in many respects the government is dissatisfied with the operations of the EU.
PM Orbán claimed that his government ‘is critical of the EU because it wants to correct the bloc’s existing faults and reform it.’
Going further, the prime minister claimed that the only way to restore citizens’ trust is by making every effort to correct the mistakes and this also requires clearly identifying them. He called for a “fair, open debate” and asked members of the EP “to give a critical approach to prejudices against Hungary”, and apply “equal standards” in matters concerning the country.
PM Orbán told European Parliament members that his government is ‘fully aware’ that EU membership comes not only with rights but with responsibilities as well. He also emphasized that the level of support towards the EU is high in Hungary.