Last Updated: Wednesday, 17 May 2023, 15:20 GMT

Hungary to fence off border with Serbia

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 17 June 2015
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hungary to fence off border with Serbia, 17 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55b5f3d115.html [accessed 18 May 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

June 17, 2015

Hungary says it will build a fence along its border with Serbia to stem an influx of illegal migrants.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on June 17 that the government instructed the Interior Ministry to "begin preparation work for a 4-meter-high fence along the length" of the 175-kilometer border.

"Immigration is one of the most serious problem facing the European Union today," Szijjarto told journalists. "The EU's countries seek a solution, but Hungary cannot afford to wait any longer."

The number of migrants and asylum seekers entering Hungary, mostly across the southern border with Serbia, has rocketed since the second half of 2014.

Officials said that so far this year, some 54,000 migrants have entered Hungary, up from 43,000 in 2014 and 2,150 in 2012.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

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