Fidesz MEP Kinga Gál said the stability of the Western Balkans is in the interest of the whole of Europe which is why it is important to offer a perspective of EU integration to the region’s countries.
The MEP said pressure posed by migration is increasing along the Western Balkan route with groups of young armed men attacking border guards, calling on Brussels to declare the protection of the EU’s external border a priority. She said it was “a mistaken migration policy” by the European Union “not to concentrate on the right questions” and called for steps to stop illegal migrants at the Schengen borders. Hungary is facing double pressure, said Gál. She noted that Hungary had taken in 1.5 million war refugees from Ukraine ensuring their access to education and health care. “We support real refugees, while aggressive illegal migrants must be stopped in which efforts the Western Balkan region is playing a key role.” The Fidesz MEP welcomed the EC’s decision last week to propose granting Bosnia and Herzegovina the status of the candidate to join the European Union. She said the EU’s new package of enlargement proposals offered the Western Balkans “a more positive and promising outlook”, reiterating Hungary’s commitment towards the region’s EU integration.