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Speaking to the national radio station Kossuth Rádió, he also stated that the EU could soon “follow the example of Hungary”.
“Now they can say what they want. But in a few days they will do the same ”, said V. Orban. Otherwise, the coronavirus pandemic cannot be stopped.
Orban praised the month-long border closure and said the system would be improved. At the same time, he praised the decision to grant an exemption to citizens of three other Visegrad countries. Brussels accused Hungary of discriminating against other EU citizens.
Orban said he understood the “stubbornness of the Brussels Democrats,” but also that the Visegrad countries – Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia – started working more closely during the pandemic. These countries, he said, are successfully fighting the virus. This also explains the exceptions for citizens of these countries. They can enter Hungary with a negative coronavirus test.
Since September 1, Hungary has unilaterally closed its borders to most foreign visitors and has become the first country in the European Schengen area to make such a decision following the lifting of travel restrictions in the region in June due to the spread of the new coronavirus.
The decision to protect Hungary from the resurgence of new cases in Europe was announced on Friday and officially took effect on Tuesday. The Hungarian move received a critical response in Brussels.
The European Commission argues that it is worth opting for more nuanced restrictions. “There is a clear need to replace all restrictions on free movement with more specific measures in terms of time or geographic scope. For example, restrictions can only be imposed on arrivals from specific areas, ”said Vivian Loonela, spokesperson for the European Commission.
The Hungarian authorities defend their position, arguing that Hungary is currently in the green zone and that the rest of Europe is already in the red.
“Perhaps closing the borders is one more provocation for the European Union. Perhaps Orban should think better if he wants to belong to the European Union. If you belong to a team, you have to follow the rules, ”commented Dutch MEP Sophie in’t Veld on Euronews decision in Hungary.
Hungary has come under fire for failing to officially inform travelers and European Union partners before the ban went into effect.
The Hungarian government’s move raises concerns that European Union countries seeking to combat the spread of the coronavirus are imposing uncoordinated border crossings and endangering the cornerstone of the world’s largest trading bloc, the free movement of goods and people.
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