Frontex suspends operations in Hungary

The European Court of Justice last month ruled Hungary had breached EU asylum laws. Budapest was told to stop pushing asylum seekers back into Serbia - yet nearly 2,500 people have been forced across the border since that judgement.

The European Court of Justice told Hungary in December to stop forcing asylum seekers back into Serbia. The European Commission is now demanding Budapest follow the judgement - but Hungary has since reintroduced a special legal order, under Covid-19.

Rules requiring the EU's border agency Frontex to suspend operations in member states where rights are being violated "are not fit for purpose", said a European Commission official.

The EU 'Blue Card' seeks to lure highly-skilled immigrants to Europe. Hungary attracted only six in 2019 - but still opposes reforms to make it easier, citing labour protection rules.

A group of MEPs delivered their final report into the EU's border agency Frontex. After a four-month probe, they found it had failed to take its responsibility to protect fundamental rights at Europe's external borders.

The agency is suspending border surveillance operations in Lithuania. It also wants to reverse a rule which requires it to suspend operations in EU states where violations take place — and instead send in more agents.