This year’s first Salzburg Forum was organized by Poland in Warsaw on 23-24 April. At the ministerial conference, Hungary was represented by Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér.

The ministers discussed the so-called “Smart Border Package” that was recently proposed by the European Commission. The proposal includes the establishment of a European border registration system. Due to the fact that many Salzburg Forum Countries, along with Hungary, are responsible for the protection of the outer Schengen borders, it is of vital importance to reach an agreement on this issue. The ministers supported the idea of the system, which in addition to reinforcing the battle against illegal migration, must also help combat organized crime and terrorism.  

In 2009, the European Council accepted the Stockholm Program that set the main directions of internal and justice related politics between 2009 and 2014. As the program is reaching its end, a new strategic document is now being prepared. The ministers agreed that the Salzburg Forum countries need to play a prominent role in its elaboration.

On the second day of the conference, the ministers were joined by representatives of West Balkan countries and Moldova. The current challenges posed by illegal arms trafficking were touched upon along with worrying trends related to drug precursors. 

In connection with the civil protection and rescue systems, the participating countries exchanged their best practices and discussed possible cooperation between the national organisations.

The conference ended with a joint statement of the ministers. The next meeting will take place in Romania in the second part of 2013. 

The Central-European Partnership for Internal Security, which includes the Ministers of Interior of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, was established in 2000 following an Austrian initiative. The aim of the Salzburg Forum is to strengthen regional cooperation within the field of internal security, to improve the representation of EU interests and to strengthen cooperation with third countries.

(Ministry of Interior)