Proposal to expel Hungary from EU "nonsense": Czech PM

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka rejected Tuesday Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn's proposal that Hungary should be expelled from the EU over its rough stance on migrants, saying the demand is "nonsense".

Asselborn has repeatedly criticised Hungary and other central European countries, including the Czech Republic, but never before he presented a similar demand.

In reaction to Asselborn's call, Sobotka said they will not create any union within the EU or expel anyone, Europe "must cooperate and retain its cohesion."

He said they are discussing the future of the EU in these days and they need to preserve a rational approach and unity and devote their time to joint issues. Europe must provide safety and prosperity for its citizens and preserve its competitiveness.

Sobotka said that he considers the widening of gaps and calls for expelling member states nonsense. The EU leaders agreed in June unanimously on the continuation of European cooperation in the format of 27 member countries. Nothing has changed in this agreement.

Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek said the EU foreign ministers agreed at their latest meeting that the EU must be united in order to be able to jointly deal with Brexit, migration, terrorism and the Ukraine crisis. The statements which split and divide the EU do not help the member countries.

Czech state secretary for European affairs Tomas Prouza described the proposal as the most absurd and nonsensical thing he has heard before Friday's informal EU summit in Bratislava. Endit