EU warns Hungary of retaliation if it sends migrant buses

Brussels, September 10, 2024. The European Commission, the powerful executive body of the European Union, warned Hungary on Tuesday that its threat to send a convoy of migrant buses to Brussels to protest EU policies is unacceptable and that implementing it would prompt the EU to take retaliatory action. Hungary's anti-immigrant government said last week that it is considering providing free one-way trips to Brussels for migrants to pressure the European Commission to revoke huge fines imposed due to Hungary's restrictive asylum policies. In June, the European Court of Justice ordered Hungary to pay a 200 million euro fine for violating EU asylum rules and having to pay an additional one million euros per day until it corrects the situation. The Budapest government has delayed payment.

European Commission spokeswoman Anita Hipper said this move violates EU law, the principles of sincere and loyal cooperation and mutual trust, and will also undermine the security of the Schengen area. The European Commission is in contact with the Hungarian and the authorities of neighboring countries through which the convoy may pass. If the buses travel by land, they need to pass through countries such as France or Germany. Hipper said it is ready to use the powers conferred by the treaties to ensure that EU law is respected, but did not elaborate on specific actions. Given that Hungary has already defied the order to pay fines, the effectiveness of punishment is in doubt. On Monday, Belgium's top immigration official Nicole de Moor said Hungary's threat undermines internal unity and cooperation within the EU and Belgian authorities will not allow such migrants to enter.