By: V4 Agency
The word is facing two serious security challenges – illegal migration and increasing drug use – that are clearly linked to organised crime, and Brussels fails to take adequate action to address them, Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and trade said in Japan on Monday, following a UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
The world is facing new security challenges in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic and stemming from it, Peter Szijjarto said in a statement to Hungary’s state news agency (MTI), adding that the crisis will cause even more damage if these issues are left unaddressed.
Illegal immigration has so far been primarily a security and cultural threat to Europe, he said, pointing out that now it also entails serious health risks, as uncontrolled waves of migration can greatly accelerate the spread of the virus. Organised crime was also an underlying issue, as new arrivals use human smuggling networks, whose operation is often supported by NGOs, he stressed.
Speaking about the growing use of narcotic drugs, he noted that “regretfully, we can see that Brussels supports not only illegal migration but also the use of drugs, or at least intends to make their use easier, after the UN had recently reclassified cannabis, claiming that it is no longer regarded dangerous”. He stressed that the Hungarian government opposed this reclassification. In response, the European Commission launched infringement proceedings against the country, he said, noting that Brussels should instead make every effort to curb drug use.
The foreign minister warned that it is now easier for organised crime groups, terrorist organisations and promoters of extremist ideologies to reach people, since they have moved a significant part of their activities to the digital space.
In conclusion, Mr Szijjarto emphasized that Hungary will continue to protect its borders and take its share in the global fight against terrorism.