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Hungary insisted it needs its fence
Government spokesman Zoltán Kovács insisted the border fences were the “only way” to police the escalating migrant crisis, despite admitting it is “not nice”.
Mr Kovács was also quick to take a swipe at Brussels, saying they were being “naive” over asylum seekers who use the Mediterranean as a “free ride” to “misuse the system and basically disappear” when they arrive in the promised land of Europe.
He called on Italy to do more to stem the flow of migrants.
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Hungary has taken a robust stance on defending its borders
Migrant protests in Hungary
Thu, September 17, 2015
Migrants protest outside Budapest's Keleti Railway Station after it was closed off by police to prevent people travelling on to western Europe.
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A Migrant is helped to wash tear gas from his eyes after clashes with Hungarian police at the Horgos border
The fence is not nice. But it is the only way to close the natural borders of a country
Zoltán Kovács, Government spokesman
But despite the criticism, he said Hungary remained committed to the bloc, adding: “Our criticism, even if it’s criticism, it is for the sake of Europe”.
Ever since the migrant crisis erupted, with more than one million refugees pouring into Europe, Hungary has taken a robust stance on defending its borders.
The country was on a direct Balkans route used by migrants to make their way from Greece and into Serbia and Croatia.
In response, tough-talking Prime Minister Viktor Orban insisted enough was enough and ordered his borders with Serbia and Croatia to be shut.
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Hungary called on Italy to do more to stem the migrant crisis
Mr Kovács said: “The fence is not nice. But it is the only way to close the natural borders of a country.”
During a visit to Brussels, Mr Kovács also issued a warning shot to Britain telling them they cannot “cherry pick” EU benefits during Brexit negotiations.
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Hungary's PM erected the fence to stop illegal immigrants from entering
When asked whether Hungary would support European Council President Donald Tusk for a second term, Mr Kovács remained tight-lipped saying it was “too early to call.”
Hungary recently recruited secondary school students to become “border hunters” in order to protect the nation’s porous borders.
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