Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán held talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. The central theme of their discussion was joint action against illegal immigration and the protection of the European Union’s (EU) external borders. The meeting also explored ways to enhance regional cooperation and foster stronger ties between the EU and the Western Balkans.

Orbán stressed that panic only leads to bad decisions, citing examples such as suspending Schengen and reinstating border controls. According to Orbán, illegal migration undermines one of the EU’s greatest achievements: free movement across borders.

“It was foreseeable that crime would increase, and the migration pact will not solve the problem, but will increase it. The pact itself is the problem,” Orbán remarked.

The Hungarian Prime Minister further stated that the migration pact should be discarded, advocating for new, innovative solutions.

“The Slovak Prime Minister and I are ready to participate within the EU to create new rules. It’s clear that the current rules must be forgotten and replaced with new ones,” he added.

Orbán also emphasized the importance of Hungary’s cooperation with Slovakia and Serbia, describing it as being in Hungary’s basic interest. He noted that Slovakia is one of Hungary’s top ten economic partners, while trade with Serbia has increased sixfold under President Aleksandar Vučić’s leadership.