Fri Oct 11 21:25:44 UTC 2024: ## Hungary Demands Opt-Out from EU Migration Pact, Citing National Security Concerns

**Budapest, Hungary** – In a significant move, Hungary has officially requested an opt-out from the European Union’s Migration and Asylum Pact, citing concerns over national security and a desire to maintain stronger control over migration. The decision comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the EU’s approach to migration, with several member states expressing dissatisfaction with the current policy framework.

In a letter to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, Hungarian Minister of EU Affairs János Bóka argued that “re-establishing a stronger national control over migration is now the only option” to effectively curb illegal immigration. Hungary has consistently voiced opposition to the Migration Pact, specifically criticizing its “mandatory solidarity mechanism” which requires member states to either accept migrants or contribute financially to a common fund.

The Hungarian government has undertaken extensive measures to secure its southern border, including the construction of a fence and the deployment of border police on horseback. These efforts, however, have not been met with financial support from the EU, leading to further frustration in Budapest. Hungary has threatened to allow migrants to travel freely to Brussels if the EU persists in its current approach.

Hungary’s call for an opt-out echoes a similar stance taken by the Netherlands, which has also expressed its intention to opt out of the Migration Pact. Both countries argue that the pact’s mandatory nature undermines national sovereignty and hinders their ability to manage migration effectively.

The request for an opt-out is supported by 17 other European countries, including Austria, Germany, France, and Italy, who are calling for a “paradigm shift” in EU migration policy. These countries advocate for stricter enforcement of deportation procedures, arguing that a lack of effective returns is a major contributor to the ongoing migration crisis.

The EU’s response to Hungary’s request remains to be seen. However, the growing dissatisfaction among member states underscores the need for a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to migration, one that addresses the concerns of both national governments and the EU as a whole.

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