Tightening security at major international events in Hungary a priority, says minister

Budapest, May 25 (MTI) – Hungary does not need to raise the terrorist threat level in the wake of the Manchester attack, but tightening security measures at upcoming major international events that attract large numbers of people will be a priority, the interior minister said on Thursday.

These events include the 2017 FINA World Aquatics Championships on July 14-30, the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix on July 28-30 and the Sziget Festival on August 9-16, Sándor Pintér told reporters after his hearing before parliament’s national security committee.

The Manchester bombing proves that the threat of terrorism has not eased but rather increased in Europe, the minister said.

Hungary is in “a lucky situation” because its strict measures against illegal migration have prevented the entry of people intending to carry out terrorist acts, he said.

Speaking after the hearing of the national security committee, the committee’s (Socialist) head Zsolt Molnár proposed preparing an information package to be given to Hungarians and foreign visitors to events such as the Grand Prix that require a high level of security. They should be fully informed of necessary security measures in a way that does not create panic, he said.

The Manchester attacks “crossed another line” by targeting young people, Molnar said.

Hungary is a “transit country as far as terrorism is concerned”, he said, adding that he has asked the interior ministry to lobby at the upcoming EU and NATO summits for the establishment of an international intelligence agency to help collect and share information among the member states.