Hungary reverses decision to suspend key EU asylum rule
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 June 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hungary reverses decision to suspend key EU asylum rule, 24 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55b5f41d6.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This 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 24, 2015
Hungary has reversed its decision to suspend a key EU rule on the processing of asylum claims, announced a day earlier.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that, "(Foreign) Minister Peter Szijjarto has informed his Austrian counterpart that Hungary was not suspending any rule of the European Union."
The right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban on June 23 announced it was indefinitely opting out of the so-called Dublin III regulation because of "technical reasons."
The provision requires a migrant's claim to be processed in the EU country they first arrive in.
Budapest said it had been forced to take the step to "protect Hungary's interests and population" in light of the tens of thousands of refugees who had arrived over the past year.
The move, which came ahead of a key EU summit on the immigration crisis on June 25, prompted Vienna to summon Hungary's ambassador for an explanation.
Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz also told his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto in a phone conversation June 24 that Vienna would not tolerate the suspension.
Hungary earlier this month ordered the construction of a fence along its border with Serbia to keep people from crossing illegally.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
