Refugee crisis dominates meeting between Greek, Hungarian FMs

Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, the two ministers agreed on the need for a political solution for the war in Syria, in order to deal with the root of the problem and rebuild a new country. They also said a joint European solution is also needed to tackle the human flows, along with immediate financial support for countries accommodating refugees and migrants, such as Jordan and Lebanon. The latter measure would prevent refugees from abandoning camps in these countries and joining the rest in the long journey to Europe.

Kotzias said he briefed Szijjarto for the hotspots being created in Greece, stressed the importance of fair distribution of refugees and of showing solidarity and calmness.

On his side, Szijjarto stressed the need for more dialog within the EU “so that the Union can control its borders”. He noted that when Hungary says the EU’s south-eastern borders need protection that “does not constitute an attack against Greece, a country with borders stretching 11,000 klm which are impossible to protect - but rather a suggestion towards Europe to do it.”

Responding to a journalists’ question on why Hungary raised a fence along its borders, the Hungarian foreign minister said this is his country is “simply observing the regulations of the Schengen Treaty, which we all have to respect”.