On 11 July 2022, the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union hosted an informal meeting of interior ministers in Prague (Czech Republic). Hungary was represented by Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér.
The ministers discussed the threats to internal security emerging from the Russian war against Ukraine. Sándor Pintér stressed that more than 830,000 people fleeing from the war have already arrived in Hungary through our eastern borders, and we have been able to provide them with adequate assistance. He emphasized that for the safety of our citizens, we will continue to pay special attention to the prevention of crime at the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. Establishing an efficient information exchange mechanism with Ukraine and Moldova is our common interest.
The ministers also discussed future challenges related to migration. Minister Sándor Pintér stressed that the high number of illegal migrants arriving via the Western Balkan migratory route and their increasingly violent behaviour are a cause for concern. The Hungarian border policing authority has prevented nearly 115,000 attempts of illegal border crossings this year. Migration flows are expected to constantly increase in the near future, and the EU's migration policy must therefore be based on the full protection of the external borders including by the use of physical means. The creation of a border protection force is justified.
In line with the priorities of the Czech Presidency, the ministers reviewed the roadmap for the implementation of the interoperable architecture of EU information systems in the JHA area and exchanged views on ways to combat child sexual abuse.
