Migration, security global challenges: EU commissioner

The issues of migration and security are global challenges, no country can deal with them on their own, European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said here Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists after meeting with Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter and Justice Minister Laszlo Trocsanyi, Avramopoulos said: "We are not where we were two years ago, but are using a comprehensive approach, and Hungary is part of it... Only through this joint and coordinated approach can we address the upcoming challenges," he added.

The European Union (EU) and Hungary, an EU member state, have been in a long-running dispute over migrant policy.

"What happens in Syria is not only felt in Turkey or Greece, but also in Hungary and Germany," Avramopoulos explained.

Pinter told reporters that there was an understanding between Hungary and the EU regarding the need to defend EU borders. "We understand that it is necessary to control the citizens of the EU coming in and going out through the borders, and also those coming from third countries," he explained.

"On the issue of passing through the natural border, we had differences, but this difference between the EU and Hungary will be resolved by the beginning of this summer," Pinter said, adding that a joint working group between Hungary and the experts of the EU would be set up to overcome the matter.

Trocsanyi said he briefed Avramopoulos on the necessity of the new Hungarian anti-migration regulations, and that the Hungarian government was ready to continue the dialogue.

Hungary further tightened its anti-migrant legislation on March 7 concerning the treatment of asylum seekers. The reinforced closure of the borders came into effect on Tuesday.

According to the new conditions, asylum seekers can only present their claims in person at one of the transit zones operating on the border, where the applicants must wait until receiving an assessment of their demands. During the evaluation of their claims, the applicants can leave the transit zone only towards Serbia.

Hungarian police will bring back to the transit zones every illegal alien found inside the territory of Hungary. Prior to the modification, the police had the right to transport the illegal aliens from only an 8-km-wide band from the Hungarian border.