Kövér said V4 countries had special interests and values that they want to protect in the EU. “We truly are democrats, since we try to implement the will of our voters in politics,” Kövér said.

The speaker said the meeting also touched on bilateral economic ties, specifically potential investments in transport and energy infrastructure. He said relations between the two countries’ parliaments are troublefree, adding that the current challenges have encouraged the two legislative bodies to strengthen their ties.

Štěch said the Hungarian government, with the support of parliament, was forced to take measures that other Schengen zone countries were unable or unwilling to take. Štěch said that although the EU has rules in place, when it is time to make decisions, “things don’t really work out”.

He said the world powers are incapable of solving the crises in the Middle East and that Europe must therefore be ready to see even more people currently living in refugee camps in the region set off for the continent. The senate president added, however, that Europe cannot take in everyone in need of help.

Štěch said EU member states cannot give up their right to freely decide how to manage the migrant crisis, adding that V4 countries “fully support” Hungary’s stance on the crisis. Štěch said his meeting with Kövér made it clear that Hungary and the Czech Republic have the exact same views on the crisis.

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MTI photo: Soós Lajos