Hungarian justice minister discusses migration, terrorism, NGOs in Jerusalem

Justice Minister László Trócsányi held talks in Jerusalem on Tuesday focusing on terrorism, migration, NGOs and legislation affecting these areas.

After talks with Israeli counterpart Ayelet Shaked, he told MTI that he had presented Hungarian legislation on the transparency of NGOs receiving financial support from abroad. Israel introduced similar legislation two or three years ago and he said he was in agreement with Shaked that organisations that aim to play political roles and are linked with international networks were not typical parts of civil society.

Trócsányi said he also briefed his counterpart on Hungary’s transit zones and the procedures that apply to them.

He added that Hungary was a state based on the rule of law that guaranteed the rights of refugees in line with international regulations despite having a differing view on which countries belong in the category of safe countries. For instance Hungary considers Serbia such a country, he said.

The sides were in agreement that terrorism was a common enemy and it is necessary to apply the toughest means to fight it, he added.

He said they also discussed the practice of appointing judges in their respective countries and together decided to organise a joint conference in Budapest next year where the responsibility for an effective administration of justice would be discussed.

He added that he briefed Shaked about the Sargentini report which he believes was primarily based on ideological motivations, with attacks focusing on the issues of migration and NGOs.

Cyber security was also discussed at the meeting and the sides assured one another of their countries’ support for each other in international diplomacy in cases of external attacks.

Trócsányi said he had also met with Benny Begin, a member of the Knesset constitutional committee, and discussed the essence of democracy and equal rights. Regarding Israel’s new law on the nation state, he said they were in agreement that the notion of the nation state was not opposed to democracy.

He said he had also held talks with several active and retired members of the supreme court, discussing the importance of constitutional dialogue between the different branches of power.

Featured image: MTI

Source: MTI