News / EU

Europe is weak in facing refugee flow: Hungary PM

Monday, 15 February 2016 5:05 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 15 February 2016 5:04 PM ]

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (AFP photo)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticized the European Union (EU)’s refugee policy, saying Europe has become “weak” in facing the influx of refugees, mainly coming from conflict zones like Syria.

"Brussels wants to let in... it wants to transport illegal migrants into the territory of the EU ... and then distribute them in a mandatory way," Orban told the parliament on Monday.

He stressed the EU’s “crisis management plan” has failed and that the Hungarian government “does not accept this plan.”

Europe has been experiencing an unprecedented inflow of refugees, most of whom are fleeing conflict-ridden zones in Africa and the Middle East, particularly Syria.

Policies of major European powers are blamed by many for the unprecedented exodus, as they have led to a surge in terrorism and war in the violence-hit regions, forcing more people out of their homes.

Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic have taken a tough stance on refugees.

A refugee woman carries a child as she waits to board a train after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija, on February 14, 2016. (AFP photo)

Leaders of the four eastern European countries are scheduled to meet in Prague later on Monday to discuss plans to stop the refugee influx. Orban is expected to present a proposal to fence off Macedonia and Bulgaria borders and expel Greece from Schengen zone.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said at the weekend that German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open door policy was a mistake, noting she was trying to “dictate” policies to other European states.

“It’s a simple concept. I invite guests over and when I decide there are too many, I knock on my neighbor’s door and say ‘Take care of my guests’,” Fico added.

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Monday the four eastern European countries realized “how important it is to focus on the Balkan Route, show solidarity with the west Balkan countries and help them with the protection of their borders.”

German vice chancellor Sigmar Gabriel on Monday warned against any move to fence off Macedonia and Bulgaria borders and isolate Greece, saying “you can’t just redefine Europe’s borders and expel affected states over their heads.”

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