EU Minister Bóka Remarks Align with Hungary’s Perspective on Migration
Europe’s Approach to Migration Moving Closer to Hungary’s Views, says Minister of EU Affairs
In a recent podcast conversation with Zoltán Kovács, State Secretary for International Communication, Minister of EU Affairs János Bóka stated that there is a noticeable shift in the European Union’s approach to migration. Bóka believes that the EU is moving closer to what Hungary has been advocating for the past decade.
Bóka highlighted that the current focus is on the protection of external borders, the fight against illegal migration, and addressing the root causes of migration. He emphasized the importance of understanding that without a migration policy, other policies such as social policy, integration policy, and labor policy become ineffective. He argued that the European Union and Member States should have the authority to decide who can enter their territory.
Bóka also mentioned that if the European Union as a whole fails to address these migration issues, Member States should be allowed to handle them on their own if they can do so more effectively. Additionally, he stressed the need for European institutions and Member States to listen to the proposals and experiences of countries like Hungary, which have been protecting the EU’s external borders for a significant period of time.
Regarding the linkage between Ukraine’s accession, support for Ukraine, and financial assistance, Bóka criticized the shift from a merit-based process to a geopolitical project. He argued that this sends a wrong message to aspiring countries, encouraging them to focus on political arguments rather than meeting accession requirements.
When asked about Hungary’s ability to reach an agreement with the European Commission and receive EU funds, Bóka expressed his belief that the Commission has a responsibility for the future of the European project and should make politically responsible decisions, even if they are not popular in the Western media.
In response to concerns about Hungary’s upcoming EU presidency in 2024, Bóka dismissed them as part of a political PR campaign and reaffirmed that Hungary’s ability to manage the presidency should not be doubted.
It is clear that Hungary’s perspective on migration is gaining traction in the European Union’s approach. As the migration debate continues, it will be crucial for the EU and its Member States to work together to find effective solutions while respecting each country’s sovereignty and security concerns.
