The problem of mass migration to Europe can only be successfully resolved through international cooperation, the Interior Minister said when he addressed the fifty police personnel whom Hungary is sending to Slovenia to contribute to the efforts aimed at the protection of the EU’s external borders.
Sándor Pintér reiterated: Hungary has stated its position regarding the mass migration that is flooding into Europe on a number of occasions, and regarding the fact that the illegal border-crossers must be stopped at our external borders. He said: we are convinced that the current European solutions are not good because they create false illusions in the people setting out for Europe and induce internal tensions between the countries of the European Union and the Schengen zone.
On Monday morning 50 members of the police force are leaving for Slovenia in 10 vehicles. They are heading for Maribor and Muraszombat where they will be working together with the Slovenian police, and their duties will involve the maintenance of law and order and the prevention of crimes and misdemeanours.
The Minister regarded international cooperation as important, and pointed out in this context that Hungary has already experienced the difficulties caused by mass migration; this is why Hungary welcomed the support of the three Visegrád countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland), as part of which Czech and Slovak police and Polish border guards have arrived in Hungary. It was in this spirit that Hungary was among the first to offer its urgent assistance to Slovenia, he added.
Mr Pintér highlighted: the Chief Commissioner of the Hungarian police force and representatives of the Slovenian Government have already signed the agreement, under the auspices of which 50 Hungarian police personnel will take part in the maintenance of Slovenia’s security and the Slovenian people’s sense of security through joint patrolling and the direction of the movement of illegal migrants in cooperation with their Slovenian counterparts.
The Minister told the members of the Hungarian police contingent setting out for Slovenia: with the protection of the borders of Slovenia, they will also be protecting Hungary and Europe.
The Minister said: Hungary is the only Member State of the European Union which responded to the challenges of mass migration on the basis of European law and the Schengen expectations. In his view, Hungary “responded to the unlawful initiatives lawfully and successfully”. He pointed out that the basis of this success lies in lawful, professional and firm practices which adhere to the principle of proportionality and remain within the boundaries of the law, and requested the members of the Hungarian Rapid Response Police Force heading for Slovenia to observe these principles. He added: the fifty members of the police contingent who were selected from among a great many applicants were the best of the best.
Mr Pintér said: he expects these members of the police force to observe the laws of Slovenia, and to flawlessly cooperate with the local authorities. He asked the Hungarian police contingent to enhance the reputation of the Hungarian Police in Slovenia and before the international police units, and to earn appreciation for Hungary.
The Minister exchanged a few words with each member of the police contingent before they set out.
After the ceremony, Mr Pintér told the public service media: the Slovenian invitation represents the appreciation of the Hungarian Government and the Hungarian Police. It is in recognition of the performance of the Government because it has enforced compliance with the Schengen regulations to the highest standards in recent periods, while it is in recognition of the merits of the police because the Slovenians saw the service they rendered at the borders and how they resolved even the most delicate tasks.