Following a meeting of EU ministers for European affairs, Minister of State for European Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office Szabolcs Takács said that the migration crisis Europe has to face has not been solved by the few decisions made at various levels, because the implementation of these is only minimally effective – or not effective at all.
At a press conference, Mr. Takács said that, at the General Affairs Council, ministers had reviewed the priorities set by the Dutch presidency. One of the most important objectives is to significantly reduce the number of migrants arriving in Europe. In this respect, Mr. Takács emphasised that the Government of Hungary regards keeping the Schengen Area alive to be a top priority, because “it is one of the most important and most tangible achievements” of European integration. He said that one element of the system – free movement within the zone – has worked well for a long time, but the other element is also vitally important; this, however, will require more effective protection of the EU’s external borders.
Mr. Takács emphasised the importance of letting migrants enter the EU only in a controlled manner, because now we have no information on where they are coming from, what their backgrounds are and why they are coming. He stressed that potential new European measures aimed at the protection of external borders can only be accepted if they do not interfere with national competencies.
Mr. Takács also spoke about another priority of the Dutch presidency: increasing the EU’s competitiveness. He said that, in order to establish a well-functioning digital internal market, the viewpoints of non-eurozone must also be considered, in addition to those of the eurozone Member States.
Before the General Affairs Council meeting representatives of the Visegrád countries held a separate meeting, at which they all agreed on the same position on the most important issues, Mr. Takács said.