Commission Report 2002 (Hungary)

Chapter 24: Co-Operation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs

As foreseen in the Action plan, Hungary has made important progress in the implementation of the Schengen Action Plan by starting to negotiate agreements with neighbouring states, employing more personnel and improving training. At external borders, the infrastructure and equipment has been further modernised and up-graded in line with the Schengen requirements and with the Action Plan. The electronic Consular Information system supporting the issuing of visas has been completed and all consular missions are on-line. Preparations for joining the Schengen Information System are under way. The existing databases, which will form the basis for the National Schengen Information System, have been transferred to the Ministry of Interior, but further work is necessary. In July 2002, Hungary submitted a revised Schengen Action Plan, which covers the remaining tasks. Internal co-operation between police, other law enforcement agencies and the judiciary has been further improved in line with the Action Plan priority. In April 2002, the International Law Enforcement co-operation Centre became the single contact point for international co-operation for all Hungarian law enforcement agencies. Deployment of the liaison officers to Europol took place in April 2002.

As a result of the Action Plan Hungary strengthened its fight against organised crime and money laundering with the consolidation of the legal framework. In the context of fighting fraud, corruption and money laundering, a new law entered into force in January 2002, which contains provisions on the phasing out of anonymous saving deposit books, securities and the licensing of currency exchange. A Financial Intelligence Unit within the National Police Headquarters is responsible for analysing suspicious transactions (staff: 18). The number of suspicious transactions reported to the Financial Intelligence Unit has grown significantly over the last two years.

In the area of drugs, the National Focal Point was established in the Ministry of Health, and the investigative powers of the Customs and Finance Guards were extended. The implementation of the national drug strategy is underway, addressing the Action Plan priorities. In the area of judicial co-operation, the Chief Prosecutor`s Office was designated as the single contact point.

The Accession Partnership priorities in this area have been met to a large extent. The implementation of the Action Plan is mainly on track.

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