Mr. Bakondi recalled that in 2015 there were those who believed migration was beneficial, arguing that incoming, highly qualified migrants would solve labor market problems.
He noted that similar views have recently resurfaced in Hungary from representatives of the Tisza Party, adding that he was “extremely surprised” by this, as across Europe it has become clear that these expectations have not been borne out.
According to Mr. Bakondi, the shift in attitudes has been driven by negative experiences encountered by the population in everyday life. He said he could hardly name a country that has not taken some form of action against migration.
Measures taken by various countries include the construction of border fences, the tightening or reintroduction of Schengen border controls, restrictions on access to social benefits and family reunification, and attempts – often with limited success – to carry out deportations, the chief adviser listed.
Mr. Bakondi stressed that changes have begun at the nation-state level which have curtailed the previously unrestricted inflow of migrants and altered the earlier, overwhelmingly positive assessment of migration.
Drawing attention to what he described as a double standard, Mr. Bakondi pointed out that new fences have been built at the Greek–Turkish border, the Polish–Belarusian border and elsewhere, partly using EU funds, while Hungary’s border fence, constructed in 2015, was financed entirely from the national budget. Despite this, Hungary did not receive recognition, support or retroactive co-financing, but instead was subjected to sanctions, including the imposition of an unprecedented daily fine.
In Mr. Bakondi’s view, the changes taking place at the level of nation states will sooner or later lead to the issue of revising the current migration policy being raised before the European Council, which brings together EU heads of state and government.
He said that proposals to redistribute migrants from countries where they are present in large numbers to countries where they are not – such as Hungary – generate serious concern.
Mr. Bakondi warned that it would be undesirable for Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia or other countries to face the same security-threatening conditions in everyday life that exist in some major Western European cities, where in certain districts it is not advisable – especially for women and children – to walk in the evening hours.
The chief domestic security adviser emphasized that it is the task of Hungarian diplomacy to find allies for the migration policy pursued by Hungary.
According to Mr. Bakondi, it is a paramount national interest to preserve the achievements Hungary has secured over the past ten years through significant efforts, including stable public security, the absence of illegal migrants, the lack of terrorism and violence against women, and the conditions necessary for economic development.