Gulyás: EP has made a "bad decision" by endorsing new migration pact

 

Gulyás told a government press briefing that the fact that the legislation had passed “with only a 55-56% majority in the EP where 70-80% of lawmakers are pro-migration” showed “how extremely bad the proposal” was. “Central Europe shouldn’t have to suffer the mistakes of Western Europe’s social development,” Gulyás said, stressing that Hungary will not accept any European decision that would “shift this problem onto central Europe and Hungary”. He said Hungary was backing Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who, he noted, had made it clear that Poland would not take part in the redistribution or relocation of migrants, and neither would it pay compensation for refusing to take in migrants. Hungary rejects the mandatory redistribution of migrants and the rule of having to pay compensation instead, Gulyás said. “This decision can’t be implemented in its current form; it won’t help Europe or the societies suffering from migration,” he said. Gulyás said Hungary would challenge any European decision with a view to protecting itself from the harmful effects of migration.

 

Gulyás added that Hungary is mulling abstaining from any steps NATO may consider that would risk escalating and broadening the war in Ukraine. The government will do everything possible to limit the threats facing Hungary, even in the case of decisions by other countries or NATO that increase the risk of a world war, he said, noting that the cabinet recently assessed the international political and military situation. “We are in a very dangerous moment,” Gulyás said. Developments in global politics in the next six months would be crucial in deciding whether the world and Europe would be heading towards war or peace, he said. Even leading European politicians were now talking about sending troops to Ukraine, he said, “even though this was a clear red line before, even for the countries that were sending weapons to Ukraine”. He said sending troops to Ukraine would greatly increase the risk of involvement in the conflict. Gulyás said it was “concerning” that NATO had also “shifted its policy direction” on the war. Whereas NATO had restricted itself to commenting on war developments it was now turning into “an active participant” in the conflict. The alliance had also rejected the possibility of intervening in the war, citing a risk of a third world war, he added. “But there has been a sharp and negative shift taking place” in NATO’s policy, said Gulyás. NATO plans to set up a 100 billion dollar fund to support military training and coordinate weapons deliveries, Gulyás noted. “Hungary, as a NATO ally, is seriously concerned about the matter because Hungary considers NATO a defence alliance,” Gulyás said, adding that Hungarian foreign policy would stick to the stance that NATO must not take any steps that lead towards another world war. Meanwhile, Gulyás said the prime minister has appointed Marcell Biró chief national security advisor. The defence of Hungary’s national security requires coordinated preparation, he said, adding that the chief national security advisor would be responsible for coordinating the work of the military, security services and other government bodies, as well as for defence coordination within the government.