Hungary threatens to close border with Serbia

Hungary could completely close the border with Serbia to stop the influx of migrants to its territory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned.
Source: Tanjug Friday, June 12, 2015 | 15:11

(Beta/AP, file)

"It's not fair to send us refugees, they should be stopped in the Serbian territory," Orban told the Hungarian Public Radio Kossuth. He added that a meeting with Serbian officials is planned for early July.
"We are considering all options, including a complete physical closure of the border," said Orban, adding that the decision will be made on Wednesday, June 17.

The number of refugees entering Hungary increased from a total of 2,000 in 2012 to 54,000 in January this year, which makes Hungary the EU member-state that, after Sweden, receives the largest number of refugees in proportion to its population.

According to the Hungarian government, 95 percent of the migrants enter across the border with Serbia, which is not a member of the EU.

About 75 percent of refugees coming to Hungary are from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan - they are fleeing conflicts in their countries. In January and February, thousands of ethnic Albanians also entered Hungary, leaving Kosovo because of the economic situation.