Hungary Seeks EU Reimbursement for Border Protection Amid Migration Controversies

Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed confidence that the European Commission would reimburse Hungary for the costs incurred in protecting the EU's external border from illegal migration. His remarks come amid ongoing debates over migration policies and border protection within the EU.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on Friday that he is confident the European Commission will reimburse Hungary's expenses for securing the European Union's external border against illegal migration.

In 2015, Hungary closed down a major transit route for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers fleeing war and poverty, strengthening Orban's domestic support but drawing criticism from many EU allies. Recently, Germany announced border checks for the next six months at all its land borders, and proposed measures to limit asylum seekers.

Orban asserted that Hungary must be reimbursed for the substantial costs of border protection, and his chief of staff mentioned the possibility of suing the Commission for the approximately 2 billion euros Hungary has spent. This follows a June ruling by the EU's top court, which fined Hungary 200 million euros for failing to change its migrant policies, a decision Orban labeled as outrageous.

(With inputs from agencies.)