Hungary has assumed the EU rotating presidency ‘at a critical moment’, as an estimated 120 million people worldwide have been ‘forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, and human rights violations’, the UNHCR, the United Nations’ Refugee Agency, said in a statement on Thursday, 11 July after the organization’s Regional Director for Europe Philippe Leclerc concluded a two-day visit to Budapest.
Leclerc met officials of the interior, foreign affairs, and EU affairs ministries, as well as civil society and Ukrainian refugee community representatives.
‘Low- and middle-income countries outside Europe continue to host the majority of the world’s refugees,’
the statement said.
Leclerc also noted the challenges caused by forced displacement ‘and the importance of closer cooperation with countries of origin, first asylum and transit’. ‘The EU Presidency offers a unique opportunity to advance these efforts and promote a holistic approach to the management of mixed movements of refugees and migrants,’ the statement went on to say.
‘Europe must continue to offer sanctuary for those seeking asylum while supporting meaningful solutions for refugees and migrants earlier on in their journey. Through these efforts, the EU can enhance options for people before they are forced to make decisions to pursue perilous journeys to reach Europe. In this context, UNHCR counts on Hungary to work in a spirit of partnership to further the EU’s solidarity and support to large refugee-hosting countries.’
Leclerc discussed the recently adopted EU Pact on Asylum and Migration with Minister of the Interior Sándor Pintér of Hungary. ‘I welcome the decision by the Hungarian Presidency to continue the discourse on the implementation of the asylum and migration reforms concluded under the Belgian Presidency.’
The public statement concluded by stating that the UNHCR ‘appreciates Hungary’s commitment towards ending statelessness’ and ‘encourages Hungary to join the Global Alliance to End Statelessness to be launched later this year’.
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Sources: MTI/Hungarian Conservative
