So far this year more than 67,000 people, mostly from Kosovo, Afghanistan and Syria, have illegally crossed into the country in a desperate attempt to reach the EU.

 

Located on the outskirts¹ of the town of Morahalom, a bulldozer and other heavy machinery² began preparing the ground for construction on July 14.

 

The mayor of Morahalom, Zoltan Nogradi, said he had not been told in advance about the start of construction, but welcomed the initiative. 'There has been no better idea to resolve this untenable situation,' he said.

 

In the face of criticism from Germany's Chancellor³ Angela Merkel, government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said Hungary was committed to building the fence, which it claims is a temporary measure. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto had said earlier the 13ft-high fence would be built first in the eight to 10 areas 'most exposed to the immigration pressure' along the 100mile-long border between Hungary and Serbia.

 

Hungary has registered almost 70,000 migrants so far this year, compared with 43,000 in the whole of last year. Most migrants travel on to wealthier parts of the EU, but Hungary's government has said those states might send illegal migrants back to Hungary. It blocked just such a move last month, provoking tensions with Vienna.

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