Victor Orbán

The Slovak Presidency during the 2014/15 cycle actively coordinated numerous multi-level meetings on forming a common position leading to the fact that “the voice of the V4 countries was reflected in… [the] migration [policy of the EU]… [specifically] in the European Council Conclusions of June 2015.” These conclusions came shortly after the launch of EUNAVFOR MED and highlighted the need to “better contain the growing flows of illegal migration…. [and] reinforce… overall cooperation with countries of origin and transit… on stemming the flows of irregular migrants and on tackling the root causes of migration so as to reduce the incentives for illegal migration.” (See V4 Report; Slovak Presidency July 2014 – June 2015). It can be assumed that the suspect in his capacity as prime minister participated in these meetings.

The V4 held a meeting with the German Foreign Minister, Frank Walter Steinmeier, and the Luxembourg Foreign Minister, Jean Asselborn, on the topic of migration on 11 September 2015. They issued a Joint Communiqué putting forward several points, notably a call for a reinforcement of Operation Sophia (See V4 Report; Czech Presidency July 2015 – June 2016)

The most recent discussions on Operation Irini, an EUNAVFOR MED led operation aimed at enforcing the UN embargo on arms in Libya, revealed that Hungary was adamant about excluding any SAR responsibilities from Irini’s responsibilities and that it was highly concerned that the operation would create a new pull factor. The idea of “too many boats in the Mediterranean” creating a pull factor was central to Hungary’s stance on migration policy throughout the relevant time period (See V4, Implications in Policies).

At the Malta Summit in February 2017, the suspect stated that the “best solution would be to take back migrants from the Mediterranean to Libya and not to Malta or Italy.” (See V4 Report; Polish Presidency July 2016 – June 2017).

The 2017/18 Hungarian Presidency claimed that one of the V4’s “main achievements” was to have “refocused the migration-related EU discourse on security and border control. (See V4 Report; Hungarian Presidency).

In April 2018, Hungary unexpectedly vetoed a planned agreement between the EU and African governments because it was discontent that the pact did not “condemn migration strongly enough (See V4 Report; Hungarian Presidency).

In a letter in July 2017 the V4  addressed to the Italian Prime Minister on the same day which “assure[d] [Italy]… that [the V4 were] ready to contribute… to stopping the departures from Libya… and stemming irregular migration flows to Europe and especially Italy.” They went further in detailing what this support could look like: contributions to “EU activities at the Southern borders of Libya; Training of the Libyan coastguard; Strengthening of capacities of EASO; The Code of Conduct on NGOs. (See V4 Hungarian Presidency).

In April 2017, Hungary alleged “active collusion” between “the Soros-funded NGOs” and “human traffickers” and described migration as an “invasion.” (See V4 NGO Criminalization)

At the Malta Summit in February 2017, the suspect stated that the “best solution would be to take back migrants from the Mediterranean to Libya and not to Malta or Italy.” (See V4 Report; Polish Presidency July 2016 – June 2017).

Letter (July 2017) addressed to the Italian Prime Minister on the same day which “assure[d] [Italy]… that [the V4 were] ready to contribute… to stopping the departures from Libya… and stemming irregular migration flows to Europe and especially Italy.” They went further in detailing what this support could look like: contributions to “EU activities at the Southern borders of Libya; Training of the Libyan coastguard; Strengthening of capacities of EASO (See V4 Hungarian Presidency).

He called for European armed forced to be employed in defense of Libya’s sea borders and that exiles had to be prevented from leaving Libya. expressed that should the EU “decide to undertake a mission to protect Libya’s southern border or strengthen its coast guard, the government is prepared to enter into immediate talks on Hungary’s contributions to such efforts.” (See V4; Involvement Libya).

Functional responsibility for the decisions of the European Council

This includes:

• November 2015 Action Plan decided at the Valletta Summit, which laid the groundwork for sharing maritime surveillance data with Libya. (See European Council Report, 2015 – Valletta Summit)

35 million euro “contribution to border protection efforts in Libya” in December 2018 (See V4; Hungarian Presidency):

Part of the V4’s reportedly high involvement in phase 2 of the training of the Libyan coastguard.1 The 35 million euros made up the majority of the funds (35 million euros of 45 million euros in total) (V4; Involvement with Libya).

February 2019, the V4 and Germany made a contribution of 30 million euros to a migration management project in Morocco (See V4; Slovak Presidency July 2018 – June 2019).