The border is a symbol of sovereignty “which guarantees our ability to preserve our security”, Novák told reporters in Kelebia. In order for Europe to remain “an island of peace” in the long run, a distinction must be made between illegal immigrants and refugees, Novák said. Hungary takes in the refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine and helps them in every way it can, she said, noting that over a million people have been admitted since the start of the conflict. But Hungary has been taking the firmest possible action against illegal immigration “from the very first moment”, Novák said. Migration pressure is rising, she added, noting that 261,000 migrants had attempted to enter Hungary illegally this year, which was twice as many as last year.
Novák said there was a growing number of human smugglers and those that want to cross the border illegally are more aggressive than ever before. Attacks against border patrols have become frequent. Some 90% of border violators arrive from the direction of Serbia which makes bilateral cooperation in border defence especially important, she said.