Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia Join Forces to Fight Illegal Migration

The Hungarian and Slovak prime ministers, and Serbia's head of state, met in Slovakia yesterday. The leaders of the three countries discussed joint action against illegal immigration.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (center), Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (left) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (Photo: AFP)

Since 2015, eight million asylum applications have been lodged in the EU. The number of illegal border crossing attempts in recent years was 3.8 million, of which one million were at the Hungarian border. Last year, 430 thousand decisions were made in the EU to expel migrants, but only a few tens of thousands of them were enforced.

Now Schengen is also in danger because Western leaders are panicking and bringing decisions to reintroduce border controls, he said”

PM Orban also spoke about economic cooperation. He noted that Serbia and Slovakia are crucial countries for Hungary in terms of energy supply, adding that he was pleased that peace is not a curse word in this context.

In response to a question from a journalist, the Hungary's prime minister explained that hot spots should be set up in places where migrants are coming from. 

Only people who receive a positive decision may enter the territory of the European Union,

he stressed. He left open the possibility of further cooperation between Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia.

Robert Fico raised te question of why Europe is not taking more serious action against the looming threat of migration. Speaking about the Visegrad Four cooperation, he said that it should be continued, adding that he is open to cooperation with Belgrade.

Aleksandar Vucic highlighted that thanks to Viktor Orban and his initiatives, Hungary and Serbia have never had such good relations as they have now, mutually supporting each other. The president stressed that Serbia does not want any hot spots in its territory, and that this has not even been considered. 

In answer to a journalist's question, Hungary's prime minister pointed out that the migrants forced on Hungary by Brussels will be taken to Brussels.

The situation in the European Union is close to a rebellion, he remarked, adding that both the Polish prime minister and the German chancellor have put up resistance.

This destroys the migration pact and the European cooperation, and dismantles the Schengen zone. The EU's bad management is creating a situation that is leading to member states terminating agreements.

The whole thing is falling apart,

he added.

Cover photo: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (center), Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (left) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (Photo: AFP)