‘Winter is approaching, which may bring about a serious humanitarian disaster in Ukraine—thus, peace must come as soon as possible, as Europe is also in an increasingly difficult situation due to the double pressure of the consequences of the war and illegal migration,’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said on Thursday in Geneva, according to the ministry’s press release.
At the general debate of the Council of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the minister reported that, due to its geographical location, Hungary is affected by both the negative consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian war and by increasing illegal immigration.
Hungary is carrying out the largest humanitarian operation in its history due to the armed conflict taking place in its neighbouring country. More than one million refugees have already arrived in Hungary, the minister reminded, noting that those who want to stay are provided care, children are enrolled in school, and all this will continue as long as necessary.
However, he said, prospects were frightful as winter is approaching, which may bring about serious humanitarian disasters in Ukraine—so peace must be achieved as soon as possible.
‘When, if not now, should we call for peace and warn those who would rather fuel the escalation of the war than help stop it?’,
the minister asked.
At the same time, Péter Szijjártó also emphasized that Hungary must pay attention not only to its eastern, but also to its besieged southern border, where 255,000 illegal border crossing attempts had to be prevented this year.
He also said that there was a ‘new dimension of violence and aggression’ at Hungary’s borders, after some armed groups of migrants had attacked each other and the border guards.
The minister highlighted that about 1,500 proceedings have been initiated against human traffickers in Hungary this year—which clearly shows the renewed increase in the number of arrivals, which is already similar to that experienced during the 2015 crisis.
Besides, the minister highlighted that everyone must respect international law which clearly says that refugees can stay temporarily only in the first safe country they reach, and they are not allowed to cross the borders of other safe countries, because that is a crime, and not a human right.
He cited Hungary as a good example: as it is the first safe country reached by fleeing Ukrainians, they are all admitted and cared for, but that is not the case with immigrants arriving from the south, as they had passed through at least five or six different states, all safe countries, before reaching Hungary.
‘Naturally, we will always protect our country’s borders, fulfilling our national and EU obligations,’ he stated.
‘The immigrationist policy pursued by Brussels must end, and European countries should be supported in protecting their own territory and at the same time the territory of the European Union,’ he added.
Mr Szijjártó expressed his conviction that pro-migration policy is dangerous, as it helps the business model of human traffickers who make millions of dollars by transporting people to Europe through dangerous routes.
Accordingly, the so-called ‘NGOs’ involved in transporting migrants should also be considered human traffickers, as they bring asylum seekers to Europe across the borders of safe countries or via life-threatening Mediterranean routes, the minister stated.
Click here to read the original article
