AFP, Berlin :
Hungary’s prime minister, whose country is under fire for its perceived harsh treatment of migrants, wants Europe to give three billion euros aid to Syria’s neighbours to help stem the flow of refugees, it was reported Saturday.
In an interview with German newspaper Bild, Viktor Orban said he wants the European Union to give the money to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, the first ports of call for Syrians trying to escape conflict.
“We have a plan, which I will present to the heads of the European Union at our next meeting (to provide) massive financial support to countries neighbouring Syria,” he said, according to excerpts of the interview released by the newspaper.
Millions of people have been displaced by Syria’s four-year war, with many given refuge in camps in neighbouring countries.
But an increasing number are now flowing into Europe, where authorities are struggling to cope with the biggest movement of people since World War II.
Orban has taken a hard line against the thousands of migrants passing through Hungary.
Riot police have been deployed to control crowds and footage from inside refugee camps has revealed harsh conditions.
Hungary this week increased the number of soldiers building its controversial anti-migrant border fence, as the numbers of people crossing from Serbia hit a new record.
Hungary’s prime minister, whose country is under fire for its perceived harsh treatment of migrants, wants Europe to give three billion euros aid to Syria’s neighbours to help stem the flow of refugees, it was reported Saturday.
In an interview with German newspaper Bild, Viktor Orban said he wants the European Union to give the money to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, the first ports of call for Syrians trying to escape conflict.
“We have a plan, which I will present to the heads of the European Union at our next meeting (to provide) massive financial support to countries neighbouring Syria,” he said, according to excerpts of the interview released by the newspaper.
Millions of people have been displaced by Syria’s four-year war, with many given refuge in camps in neighbouring countries.
But an increasing number are now flowing into Europe, where authorities are struggling to cope with the biggest movement of people since World War II.
Orban has taken a hard line against the thousands of migrants passing through Hungary.
Riot police have been deployed to control crowds and footage from inside refugee camps has revealed harsh conditions.
Hungary this week increased the number of soldiers building its controversial anti-migrant border fence, as the numbers of people crossing from Serbia hit a new record.
