Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said that Hungary insists on its right to protect its borders.
The prime minister told reporters ahead of an informal summit of EU leaders in Salzburg that he objected to EU proposals to bolster Frontex after having long pushed for the protection of the EU’s external borders.
“We’re glad that we’re finally concentrating on the question of how we’re going to protect the borders. This is good," the prime minister said.
PM Orbán added that there was no need to take away border protection competencies from Hungary, arguing that “we’re capable of protecting our borders. We insist on the right to keep it our job."
The prime minister said Hungary has managed to stop the flow of illegal migrants on its border with Serbia.
In regard to the EU proposal to strengthen Frontex, PM Orbán questioned whether the agency has ever successfully protected any borders. “We, Hungarians have,” he said.
On the topic of Brexit, the other major issue to be discussed at the summit alongside migration, PM Orbán stressed that Hungary wanted the UK and the EU to strike a fair trade deal.