He expressed hope that Hungary would achieve its goal with the new laws. “Perhaps not the following morning, but eventually Hungary will have the situation at the border under control and will be in a position to stick to EU rules.” He said crossing the border illegally, camping out at the train station shouting “Germany!” and “Merkel!” while trying to charge through the police blockade without registering in hopes of leaving the country was not an option for migrants.

Orbán said the Schengen Zone is under threat but Hungary is committed to defending it for multiple reasons. He said the first reason was humanitarian because “what is happening right now is an embarrassment, chaotic and is un- European.”

The situation, he said, had to be kept under control in a civilised manner, which cannot be achieved without border controls.

“This is the top priority; without it there is no use of discussing refugee quotas. If we cannot do this, it poses a threat to Schengen, because Austria and Germany will say that if we cannot protect our borders, they will protect theirs.”

Orbán said Hungary intends to protect the right to free movement within the EU, which means that the country’s borders also need to be protected.

Talks on refugee quotas could steer the discussion on border protection—which he said was the real issue at hand—”in the wrong direction”.

He said it would be a “moral failure” to give the impression that migrants may “come and go as they please since we can take in everybody; this is not the case”.

The right thing to do would be to say “please, don’t come, Turkey and Serbia are safe countries, stay there, as the road is risky and there are no guarantees that you will be allowed entry here.”

There are a number of safe countries between the EU and the war zones from where the migrants are coming which would be better for families, he added.

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MTI photo: Botár Gergely