OREANDA-NEWS  The security situation has never been worse in Europe, the “good old days of peace” are over, terrorism is an everyday threat in the life of any European country, János Lázár, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office said at the press conference Governmentinfo 89 which he held jointly with Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács.

The security situation has never been worse in Europe

Mr Lázár said at his usual Thursday press conference held in Budapest: the Manchester attack is a new chapter in the history of acts of terrorism committed against Europe as children had never been targeted before.

The Minister pointed out that the state of alert need not be increased in Hungary, but the situation requires greater attention and tighter security in the case of major events.

Mr Lázár stressed: it is important that European Member States should be able to protect the borders. It is inconceivable and unacceptable that, in this security situation, anyone should be allowed to cross the borders of Europe without checks, he added.

He said: the European borders must be checked more tightly, and in certain situations, it is even right to seal the borders.

Mr Lázár said: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will attend the NATO summit during the course of the day where Europe’s leaders will meet with US President Donald Trump. In answer to a question, he added: there are no plans for a private meeting between the Hungarian Prime Minister and the US President.

National Security Cabinet approved defence forces development concept

He told the press that the National Security Cabinet had approved Hungary’s defence forces development concept.

He said: the goal is to raise the country’s military and defence expenditures from one per cent of GDP to two per cent in the next few years. The Minister told the press: at present, this means HUF 400 billion, while by the beginning of the 2020s, against the background of increased GDP figures, the military budget will exceed HUF 1,000 billion, and may even reach HUF 1,200 billion by 2022-2023.

The Minister said that they will increase the personnel of the defence forces and will implement technical developments from this sum. The reinforcement and development of military capabilities will begin already this year, he indicated, stating that this also means the procurement of assets and the „restoraton” of former capabilities.

Mr Lázár said in summary: the purpose of NATO is for the members of the organisation to be able to protect one another when Europe or the allies are exposed to a common threat. The Hungarian defence forces must additionally be able to defend Hungary in a regional conflict, he added.

The Minister said: they are expecting the intensification of the pressure exerted onto Hungary during the period to come in order for us to take in a few hundred or thousand refugees. At the same time, if they once open the gate, this may induce unforeseeable processes, Mr Lázár said upon stating his view.

Immigration is a factor conveying risks

He stressed: they continue to take the view that immigration is a factor which poses risks to the defence and situation of Europe. The threat of terrorism is one of the greatest risks conveyed by uncontrolled and unrestricted immigration.

The Hungarian Government maintains its position that illegal migration conveys potential risks, he said.

Mr Lázár stated: the Government insists that the borders must be kept closed, those arriving at the border must be strictly checked, and free movement must not be allowed in the territory of Hungary. According to his information, there are some 300 people waiting in the transit zone, “the pressure weighing upon Hungary has decreased significantly in recent periods”.