Hongaars EU-voorzitterschap: Europa zonder interne grenzen moet in stand worden gehouden (en)

The Hungarian Presidency welcomes the proposal of the Commission, which refers the right of reintroduction internal border controls from Member States to Community competence. Hungary would not like to see the freedom of movement of citizens under the Schengen arrangement reduced, but the relevant decision will be made after the Hungarian Presidency, Minister of Home Affairs, Sándor Pintér told eu2011.hu.

The problem of North African refugees has put the Schengen system, which allows travel without internal border control to a tensile test - one of the greatest accomplishments of European integration. Italy was inundated by tens of thousands of immigrants, and as Rome did not receive sufficient assistance from the EU, it let them pass on into other Member States. As a response, France effectively closed its borders to keep them out. Finally, Rome and Paris jointly suggested the review of the Schengen system to the European Commission. What is the position of the Hungarian Presidency on this?

In fact, a need was formulated - most markedly by France and Italy - that we should reinforce the Schengen Area. The Communication of the European Commission, issued on 4 May was one of the reactions given to this need. This proposes the amendment of the existing rules in such a manner that as a final means, border control can be temporarily reinstated at the internal borders.

It is clear to the Hungarian Presidency that due to the situation which arose at the external borders of Malta, Italy and Greece, the Schengen Area currently faces challenges, which force it to strengthen its operating rules. We must respond to the situation at hand.

A political debate is to be conducted on the communicated needs and proposals. If a Member State reintroduces border control, this will fundamentally affect the right of free movement in the Community, guaranteed under Schengen. The emergency meeting of the Home Affairs Council in May and its regular meeting in June, are excellent opportunities to familiarise ourselves with the opinions. As a result of the exchange of ideas among ministers, this issue may also be put on the agenda at the level of heads of state and government. We have yet to conduct long and complex discussions, going beyond the term of the Hungarian Presidency until the final decisions can be made.

If controls are reinstated at the internal borders, EU citizens will register it as a step backwards, a restriction of their freedom of movement.

We must insist on preserving the Community acquis, the idea and practice of a Europe without internal borders. The Member States claiming the need to strengthen the Schengen Area, would like to accomplish the same; therefore, we have agreement on the fundamental principles. We must find a solution on what should be the form to create a temporary, conditional opportunity for border control. One of the reasons why we welcomed the Commission Communication on this matter is because it proposes to lead the claim in this direction, towards the communitisation. Otherwise, the opportunity to restore internal border control is nothing new, it is in place but has been applied in a narrower scope, usually when sporting events or summits are held.

The Commission also proposed that the Common European Asylum System be supplemented by 2012, and every Member State efficiently control its section of the external border. What are the specific proposals of the Hungarian Presidency for the emergency meeting of Ministers of Home Affairs?

We cannot talk about any specific proposals at this time. Recently there have been different suggestiions at political level. The Commission published its position in response, which mainly projects the direction of progress in the upcoming months; however, Member States still have to reach an agreement on this, before the meeting of the heads of state and government at the end of June. Our meeting on 12th May will be the first step on this road. When a political level agreement has been reached on the fundamental matters, then we can start to elaborate and discuss the relevant legislation. Much work is still needed.

The Commission Communication indicates that the EU needs legal economic immigration, in order to respond to skilled labour shortages; and to offset the ageing of society. What is the position of the Hungarian Presidency on this?

We must note that the matter of immigration is currently still mainly within the powers of Member States. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán i clearly communicated the relevant Hungarian position on 14 May in Palermo: The problems of Europe, including demographic problems, must be resolved by the Europeans themselves. Unlimited admission of labour from outside the Union is not an appropriate response. As the Minister of Home Affairs, I would like to point out the pertinent security risks and the European problems with the integration of immigrants. Naturally, special situations may occur in Member States that could really necessitate using labour from outside the Union in a regulated manner, and if possible, temporarily.

Certain Member States intend not only to transform the existing Schengen system, but seem to reject its enlargement also. Germany, France, the Netherlands and others are opposed to the accession of Romania and Bulgaria. Having said that, can you still see a chance for Bucharest and Sofia? What is the proposal of the Hungarian Presidency for the rest of the Member States?

I believe there is a chance! We support the earliest accession of these two countries. The accession of Romania and Bulgaria will happen, it is a question of when and not if. From a technical point of view, the Member Candidates are ready, and in June we will submit this once again, to the meeting of the Ministers.