Hungary insists paying Brussels a fine of €1million a day (£875k) for refusing to let in illegal migrants is more than worth the cost. Budapest has consistently taken a hard line on immigration, defying decrees from the EU on a regular basis.
Currently the government is refusing to implement the EU Migration Pact, that requires member states to share the burden of accommodating refugees. Countries must accept a quota of asylum seekers, pay for each person they decline to take in, or offer another form of assistance. György Bakondi, Chief Security Advisor to Viktor Orban, has criticised the policy as being impracticable to implement and running against the interests of European citizens.
He added that Budapest would refuse to adopt the policy come what may, despite pressure from Brussels.
The EU has tried to force compliance with its directives by introducing a hefty fine amounting to roughly £875,000 per day.
Hungary’s Prime Minister insists it is a price worth paying to keep both his native country and Europe safe.
« In a post to his X social media site, he wrote: « A Brusselian fine of €1 million/day for keeping illegal migrants out? We’ll pay it. For our safety, and yours. Better than living in fear. This Christmas, experience Europe the way it should be, in Hungary. »
His comments came following the recent publication of a government-approved video promoting holidays in the country .
The PR-blitz raised eyebrows in Brussels after it claimed Hungary was « the safest place in Europe” due to a lack of illegal immigrants.
Hungary’s government says it has spent over the last 10 years over €2billion on securing both Hungary’s and the EU’s external borders, as well as on curbing organised crime and illegal immigration.
Orban added that despite the hefty penalty, Hungary will continue strict border enforcement, because it remains the cornerstone of public safety.
Hungary’s approach to immigration has its supporters in the UK, which is struggling to stop illegal migrants from entering the country.
In an opinion column for the Daily Telegraph, Michael Deacon wrote: « Imagine if every country in the EU decided to pay a daily fine, rather than accept illegal immigrants. For one thing, it would make Brussels an awful lot richer. It’s a wonder the Eurocrats are complaining at all. »
Source link
