(Vatican Radio) Four Central and Eastern European nations are discussing a controversial plan to close off Macedonia's and Bulgaria's borders with Greece to migrants fleeing war and poverty. The plan promoted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is being discussed at a summit of leaders of Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia known as the Visegrad Group.
Listen to Stefan Bos' report
The 25th anniversary meeting of the Visegrad Group in Prague is overshadowed by the
mini-bloc's concern about the influx of refugees into Europe. That's why the Visegrad
countries are set to call for the closure of the Balkan route to refugees traveling
to Western Europe.
If it's up to Hungarian right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán more razor wire fences
will be build on Macedonia's and Bulgaria's borders with Greece. "Greece is unable
to protect Europe from the south. This is why we Hungarians suggest to draw a new
line of defense," he said. "At the Bulgarian-Greek and Macedonian-Greek border. And
from this line of defense we ensure the security of the continent."
He and other Visegrad leaders are also ready to help boost border security, an issue
that was expected to be raised during their separate talks with officials from Macedonia
and Bulgaria.
EU CONCERNED
European Union officials have expressed frustration that the Visegrad countries who
benefited greatly from EU subsidies and freedom of movement for their own citizens
now balk at requests to accept even small numbers of refugees.
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn mad clear he hopes the regional grouping
would "not become becoming a dissenting bloc within the EU." He warned "a debate could
be launched that everyone who experiences solidarity from Brussels should also express
solidarity with others."
The Visegrad nations maintain it is impossible to integrate Muslims into their societies,
often describing them as security threats. So far Poles, Czechs and Slovaks have only
accepted small numbers of refugees, primarily Christians from Syria.
Yet, several Western leaders accuse them of xenophobia and hypocrisy, saying huge
numbers of Poles, Hungarians and other Eastern Europeans have received refuge and
economic opportunity in the West for decades.
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