Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanding reimbursement of Hungary’s border protection costs, Hungarian outlet Index reported.
Orbán recalled that since 2015, Hungary has prevented more than one million illegal migrants from entering the country, financing the effort entirely from its own budget, while at the same time the EU has imposed a fine of one million euros per day on Hungary.
The prime minister welcomed von der Leyen’s late August statement that physical border barriers are a shared responsibility. ‘Hungary has repeatedly requested reimbursement of these expenses from the European Commission. However, instead of political or financial support, Hungary has only faced constant criticism,’ Index quoted the letter as saying.
Orbán emphasized that Hungary’s achievements in border protection are outstanding at the European level, and therefore ‘Hungary expects the same recognition and financial support as other member states.’ He noted that several countries under heavy migratory pressure have also built walls and fences along their borders, and EU leaders have publicly accepted their legitimacy.
He warned that migration has now become a geopolitical tool: not only states, but also organized criminal groups and NGOs are playing a role in bringing ‘masses of illegal migrants into the Schengen Area via the Western Balkans route.’ According to Orbán, the situation is further aggravated by forecasts predicting that a new migration wave of millions could erupt from Africa at any time.
Concluding his letter, Orbán made a specific request to Brussels: the Commission should provide financial support to border states without discrimination. ‘Hungary remains committed to European solidarity and will continue to fight for common European values by protecting the Schengen border and the security of our citizens,’ the letter concluded. Index reported that a copy of the letter was also sent to every member of the European Council, signalling Orbán’s intention to launch a Europe-wide debate on the issue.
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