Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called upon European Union (EU) institutions to protect and uphold the Schengen Agreement.
The prime minister said Hungary’s and the V4 standpoint on the EU can be summarized by stating that if we want to move forward, we shouldn’t begin by stepping backwards.
“In contrast, backpedalling from previously realized achievements can be experienced in several areas today, the most obvious example of which is precisely the fate of the Schengen Area," he said.
The prime minister made the remarks on Friday in Bratislava Castle at the “Equal Quality of Products for All” event, where an EU meeting was held on putting an end to the practice of dual food product quality with the participation of the heads of government of the Visegrád Group, representatives of every EU member state, and other EU politicians.
“A few years ago, the situation in Europe was that the external borders were closed and internal borders were open, but in contrast the external borders are now open and the internal borders are closed," the prime minister pointed out.
“This is the case despite the fact that one year ago, here in Bratislava, it was declared that one of the most important tasks for heads of government was to return to the Schengen system," he added. “European institutions must abide by European law and we must return to upholding the Schengen Agreement”.
The prime minister also pointed out that the Visegrád Group has already issued two documents in which it has put forward its opinion with regard to the future of Europe. He also said a major conference on the future of Europe will be held in Budapest in January.
On the issue of food quality, the prime minister said that certain multinational companies want to "feed us garbage” which is not only unacceptable, but is also in violation of the regulations on the EU’s internal market.
“Protecting the internal market is the duty of the Commission," he stated, adding that “If the institution fails to act accordingly, then the internal market will have to be protected on a national basis”.
“This means that we will wait a little longer, and if the Commission fails to initiate new legislation of its own accord, then I will be initiating new Hungarian legislation on a national basis," he added.