It is natural to feel sympathy for migrants “but sympathy is not enough: action is needed,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in an interview for the Saturday edition of German daily Bild. Asked how he felt about the Syrian boy washed up on a beach, Orbán said he had been shocked. The loss of each and every life is a tragedy, he said. “But I also thought of his parents who had left a safe refugee camp outside Syria and risked their lives and those of their children.”
In response to a question about the extent to which the refugee crisis can be seen as a German issue, Orbán said Germany’s decision to let migrants enter its territory freely had “triggered an uprising” among the migrants in Hungary. Until then, the Hungarian authorities had managed to keep the situation under control, but Berlin’s announcement had caused “chaos”.
Asked to compare the current situation with Hungary’s opening its western border in 1989, Orbán said the East German refugees had not stayed here illegally, had respected the law, and Hungary had let them leave for the West on its own accord. “But now foreigners are breaking through our borders,” he said.
In response to a question about what it feels like to be Europe’s “chief villain”, Orbán said: “I cannot do otherwise. We Hungarians are guaranteeing the free movement of Europeans and we are protecting their borders”.
Migrants are being cheated both by human smugglers and European politicians who promise them a better life and the right to stay, even after peace has been restored in their homeland, he said. “The honey flowing in Germany will soon seem less sweet than they hoped.” Living standards were determined by performance rather than needs, he said.
Asked about where the refugees should go if Hungary closed its borders on Tuesday (as subsequently happened), Orbán said they should return to where they came from. “They are not arriving from a war zone, they are not fleeing danger and they are not coming to Europe to find safe haven but to have a better life, perhaps in Germany or Sweden.”
Orbán added that living in safety and human dignity are fundamental rights but having a better life is not. European leaders were living “in a dream world” and were “unaware” of the dangers. “If we let everyone in, Europe will perish”.
The prime minister said that at the next EU summit he would present a plan to provide substantial financial support for Syria’s neighbours. He praised Turkey for its “extraordinary performance” in handling the migration issue. “We should say Mass for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan every week.”
Orbán said the contribution of member states to the EU budget should be raised by 1 percent and EU spending earmarked for other purposes cut by 1 percent. The extra funds raised this way should be used to support Syria’s neighbours.
Asked about the refugees who are already in Europe, Orbán said “none of them want to return. I am afraid they will stay here.” Refugee quotas would only make sense if the borders were kept closed, otherwise no one would know how many people should be distributed among the member states.
It was an “illusion” to think that the migrants sent to Estonia or Portugal under the quota system would remain there if they wanted to go to Germany.
Orbán called on Brussels to exert greater pressure on Greece, which he said had failed to protect the EU’s external borders for years. “Had Greece met its obligations, there would not be a refugee crisis.”
Concerning the danger of Islamisation, Orbán said he respected Islam but, due to migration, Muslims would become a majority in Europe in the foreseeable future. “If Europe allows a competition of cultures, it will lose.”
Orban is doing what needs to be done. The hordes will strip Europe to the bone if they are allowed to. Forget Mutti Merkel and the toothless UN. Thank you Hungary.
#DefendEurope #RepealSchengen
the Hungarian government does not put a fence because Europe puts for its citizens, the Hungarian people will find themselves behind the Chinese wall, while the ruler be another oligarch in Europe, smart people should be seen in the fact that this is the beginning of one oligarch who hiding behind the name of European crusader
Well,that will be a decision for Hungarians to make,and no-one else
Is it possible that we in Texas can borrow Viktor Orban for a bit? The Texas governor ought to invite Viktor Orban to our border with Mexico. Perhaps he can show us how to build a fence to keep the invaders from crossing over. His fence is impressive and it took only a couple of weeks. We are still talking about a fence for the last 15 years.
I want to thank Mr. Orban for obeying law, protecting our borders and culture. In my opinion germans are full of s**t and I know them well.
I also want to say that I support any help to Syrian refugees outside EU. We as EU should make information policy to discourage them from journey, and send humanitarian help and troops.
Many thanks from Poland.
What a man Prime Minister VIKTOR ORBAN at last someone with guts to stand up to the dictators of Merkel and the rest. Pity he wasn’t president of Europe. Defender of the west.
Well done Hungary and Viktor Orban. A lone, sane voice.
What a great man!!!
I want to live in Hungary now!
Probably many of the westerners will immigrate to Hungary within a generation.
Will enjoy the diverse culture and EURO people, but will keep our culture at the same time. Thanks Trianon, it really helped things…..
Victor Orban is the only sensible leader in Europe. Angela Merkel is confused and dumb.
The EU knew they were coming. That shows how weak and evil they are except Prime Minister Orban and a few others. Why haven’t the rich Arab countries offered to take them? As usual the worldwide left wing media promotes the fall of Western Civilization. Let history be the lesson of what happens to the losers. There will be no cherished diversity.
America is next.
Victor Orban is a true leader with vision and foresight and having common sense lacking in the rest of Europe, especially Angela Merkel – Germany.
The migrants will not want to integrate into EU society except to ask for their ‘benefits’ at other tax-payers cost.
To Germany – Isn’t hosting the ‘Oktoberfest’ a little rude to the new arrivals, given that Germans school-girls have now been asked to cover themselves? Also, pork should be removed from all restaurants and streets in Germany. Cooking pork in same kitchens as non-pork items, etc., etc., Lots to think about!
In Hungary, the Islam faith exists a bit. A few that were allowed to stay, had to be OK with pork. We told them a few hundred years ago, that if they had guests, they had to offer Pork on the menu or risk having land take away from them. The few that obliged, stayed, the others that didn’t kept losing land till they had none and are gone. Willing Muslims and Jews can easily integrate into Europe if they wish. If not, there is NO place for them here, regardless of their stupid teachings and the WILL BE SWEPT OUT AGAIN AS IN THE PAST! Absolutely no sympathy here for that other trash, that is the Hungarian Multicultural acceptance.
Mr. Orban, I wish you could run to be the U.S. President. Odds are you would win. Our election is next year and all the candidates are pitiful. I know you can’t, of course. Too bad we can’t clone you. We need a President with backbone who uses his brain as well as his heart. The candidates in our Presidential race are the worst I’ve seen in my lifetime…and that is popular opinion across the board.
Today a candidate is saying he doesn’t think a Muslim should be President of the U.S., and he is being crucified for it. Aw yes, Americans have now reached the lowest rate of intelligence I’ve ever seen. Yes, of course, let’s make a Muslim President and have Sharia law. People have lost their cotton pickin’ minds. I think I shall be moving to Australia.
Please create a crowdfund support for more border fences. Believe me there are many people supporting Hungary!!!
-Noah
Dear Europeans,
You must be either desperate, naïve or both to accept Muslim immigrants. As if you did not learn from history. Christians used to be a majority in the Middle East and Turkey. We are now almost extinct. Lebanese welcomed Palestinian refugees in 1948. Lebanese Christians are now a minority in a country they were recently the majority. Most of us are seeking immigration but not to Europe. The same people who are welcoming Muslims today will in a few decades be saying farewell to their grandchildren who will themselves become refugees.
We Polish citizens want to sorry our Hungarians brothers that our treacherous Government votes to get Immigrants to Europe. Poles are with you even when our government is not.
VOTE THEM OUT! Get up now and start your protests or wait for the incoming ivasion. Hungary in this battle will take care of itself first, don’t expect any immediate response for your survival. You have to pick up the shovel first.
Congratulation Merkel. Millions are on their way.