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Hungary to build barrier to keep out migrants Serbian PM 'shocked' Hungary's plan for migrant fence
(about 5 hours later)
Hungary says that it will build a fence along its border with Serbia to keep out migrants. Serbia's prime minister has said he is "shocked" by Hungary's plan to erect a border fence to keep out migrants.
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that officials had been told to prepare a plan for a barrier along the frontier, stretching 175km (109 miles). Aleksandar Vucic said the four-metre (13ft) fence was "not the solution" to migrants entering Hungary from Serbia.
He added that Hungary could not afford to wait for the EU to find a solution to immigration. Hungarian authorities announced the plan on Wednesday, saying the wall would run the length of the 175km (109-mile) border between the countries.
There has been a sharp rise in the number of migrants and asylum seekers entering Hungary. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Hungary could not wait for the EU to find a solution to immigration.
Speaking on TV during a visit to Oslo, Mr Vucic said: "I am surprised and shocked. We will discuss this decision with our Hungarian colleagues.
"Building walls is not the solution. Serbia can't be responsible for the situation created by the migrants, we are just a transit country. Is Serbia responsible for the crisis in Syria?"
Mr Vucic said he intended to discuss the move with Serbia's partners in the EU.
There has been a sharp rise in the number of migrants and asylum seekers entering Hungary in 2015.
The government said about 54,000 migrants entered the country so far this year, compared to 43,000 people in 2014.The government said about 54,000 migrants entered the country so far this year, compared to 43,000 people in 2014.
'Physical closure''Physical closure'
Police registered 10,000 people illegally going over the border in January alone.Police registered 10,000 people illegally going over the border in January alone.
However, tens of thousands of Hungarians have also been leaving the country.However, tens of thousands of Hungarians have also been leaving the country.
"Immigration is one of the most serious problems facing the European Union today," Mr Szijjarto told a press conference on Wednesday. "Immigration is one of the most serious problems facing the European Union today," Mr Szijjarto told a news conference on Wednesday.
"We are talking about a stretch of border 175 km long, whose physical closure can happen with a four-metre high fence. The interior minister received an instruction to prepare that.""We are talking about a stretch of border 175 km long, whose physical closure can happen with a four-metre high fence. The interior minister received an instruction to prepare that."
Mr Szijjarto said that the fence will not contravene any of Hungary's international obligations and that the plan will be prepared by next week.Mr Szijjarto said that the fence will not contravene any of Hungary's international obligations and that the plan will be prepared by next week.
Critics say that that the announcement is the latest anti-immigrant rhetoric from the Hungarian government.Critics say that that the announcement is the latest anti-immigrant rhetoric from the Hungarian government.
A recent government billboard campaign with messages such as "If you come to Hungary, don't take the jobs of Hungarians!" has caused controversy - and prompted the UN to prepare its own billboards highlighting refugees who have successfully integrated into Hungarian society.A recent government billboard campaign with messages such as "If you come to Hungary, don't take the jobs of Hungarians!" has caused controversy - and prompted the UN to prepare its own billboards highlighting refugees who have successfully integrated into Hungarian society.
The poster campaign is part of the government's efforts to win public support for tough new immigration laws that are expected soon.The poster campaign is part of the government's efforts to win public support for tough new immigration laws that are expected soon.
Hungarian officials have said that the billboards were part of a voter survey on immigration that was sent to eight million Hungarians.Hungarian officials have said that the billboards were part of a voter survey on immigration that was sent to eight million Hungarians.
The immigration questionnaire asked people whether they agreed that immigrants endangered their livelihoods and spread terrorism.The immigration questionnaire asked people whether they agreed that immigrants endangered their livelihoods and spread terrorism.