In reaction, one of the policemen fired warning shots.Continue reading
Hungary and Austria have agreed to set up a joint criminal investigation unit, organize joint patrols and expand information sharing on criminal cases, Interior Minister Sándor Pintér said after talks with his Austrian counterpart in Budapest on Tuesday.
Hungary and Austria are both working to guarantee the security of their countries and the safety of their citizens, Pintér told a joint press conference with Gerhard Karner.
Pintér thanked Karner for Austria’s assistance in the protection of the European Union’s external borders.
He said they were also in agreement that ensuring Europe’s security required more than just border protection. The two countries have therefore also agreed to participate in police operations in the Balkan region that will ensure Hungary and Austria’s security.
Pintér said he and Karner had also discussed bilateral cooperation in the response to the pandemic, adding that they had promised to continue taking into consideration new information about the pandemic when coordinating their border activities.
Karner said his visit to Hungary was his first international trip since taking office last month, adding that this was a sign of strong bilateral cooperation.
He said they had agreed to intensify their efforts against organized crime, specifically human smuggling, and trafficking.
The minister added that Austria and Hungary expected the European Commission to strengthen the protection of the bloc’s borders.
Meanwhile, in response to a question concerning Monday’s shooting incident on the Hungary-Austria border, Pintér said the authorities had identified and would catch the suspect who allegedly fired shots at Austrian border authorities.
Featured image: Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér (on the right) and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (on the left) at a press conference following their meeting at the Ministry of Interior on 18 January 2022. Photo by Szilárd Koszticsák/MTI
