Minister Sándor Pintel speaks before the Interior Ministers’ meeting.
Interior Minister Sándor Pintel said in Luxembourg that fighting organized crime within the European Union’s borders is one of the priorities of Hungary’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
He told reporters ahead of the EU interior ministers’ meeting that the agenda would also include organized crime, including online crime, child protection and issues within the Schengen area. In this context, Interior Minister Ylva Johansson will provide barometer records and information.
After reviewing the register and other presentations, we need to discuss returns, which is the biggest challenge in the Schengen area,” Sander Pinter said.
He also stressed the need to consider the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area. “Wars and armed conflicts are occurring on the EU’s borders, making it particularly important that Schengen requirements are met,” the minister warned.
fact
According to Eurojust data, concerns about organized crime in Hungary have increased between 2010 and 2023, reflecting broader developments in the EU. Criminal networks exploit legitimate business structures to launder illicit profits, which are estimated to amount to €139 billion annually across the EU. Hungarian authorities face the challenge of tackling these transnational networks due to a marked increase in cooperation through initiatives such as Eurojust and the EU Strategy to Combat Organized Crime (2021-2025). According to the report, violent incidents related to organized crime, particularly those involving firearms, are on the rise.
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Via MTI; Featured image: MTI / Bodnar Boglarka
