With this action, the Hungarian government wants to react to a record fine of 200 million euros that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) imposed on the country in June for violations of EU asylum law. The government in Budapest had described the fine as “completely unjust” – and announced that it would not pay the sum. If Hungary actually refuses to pay, the EU Commission can withhold certain funding.
Presenting the buses on Friday, Deputy Interior Minister Retvari said the EU wanted to force Hungary “to let in the illegal immigrants we are stopping at the country’s southern border.” He continued: “Well, after applying European procedural rules, we will offer them a free ride to Brussels.” He added: “If Brussels wants them, it will get them.”
On Monday, Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum de Moor commented on the announcement from Hungary that “such audacity” was “harmful and counterproductive”. It undermined “solidarity and cooperation within the EU” and was a “blatant violation of European and international agreements”.
Hungary had already announced a similar action in August. The EU Commission had stated at the time that it was used to “loud announcements of this kind from Hungary”.
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