Hungary - Justice and Home Affairs

Short-term priorities:

• implementation of appropriate legislation in respect of refugees, in compliance with the 1951 Geneva Convention;
• introduction of efficient border controls.

Assessment (October 1999)

In 1998, Hungary had addressed this priority by lifting its geographical reserve to the Geneva Convention. Steps had also been taken to improve border management. The border guard had been transformed into a civilian force and preparatory measures had been taken to develop a nation-wide and modern border management system in line with European Union (EU) standards.

Assessment (November 2000)

Considerable efforts had been made to upgrade border posts, although work still needed to be done to develop a modern, efficient and professional service. Hungary had ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the proceeds from crime. Significant progress had been made in combating organised crime.

Assessment (November 2001)

There is no progress to report in this area.

Assessment (October 2002)

Infrastructure and equipment have been further modernised and upgraded at external borders in line with Schengen requirements and the action plan.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Medium-term priorities:

• implementation of an immigration policy and reform of asylum procedures;
• stepping up the fight against organised crime and corruption (especially money-laundering, drug trafficking and trafficking in human beings);
• clarification of provisions governing the admission of immigrants, alignment of the visa policy with EU policy, and completion of alignment with international conventions, particularly with a view to application of the Schengen acquis.

Assessment (October 1999)

Hungary had continued to improve its means of action in areas relating to justice and home affairs, especially through the adoption of new legislation on organised crime, corruption and the admission of immigrants. Institutional reform was under way and the various law enforcement bodies had modernised their equipment.

Assessment (November 2000)

Law enforcement bodies had been modernised, particularly in the area of border management and asylum. Reception facilities for asylum seekers had been improved. Administrative capacity had been strengthened, notably at the national police headquarters, the chief prosecutor's office and the customs and finance brigade. In July 2000 the Government approved a strategy to combat the drug problem. Alignment of visa legislation continued.

Assessment (November 2001)

Nationals of Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova, Russia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) were now subject to a visa requirement in order to enter Hungary. Under the new law on the admission and residence of aliens, a new visa sticker had been introduced. An online system had been set up in fifty-nine diplomatic missions and consulates with a view to facilitating visa application procedures. Hungary had continued its efforts to improve reception conditions for asylum seekers and illegal immigrants. Administrative capacity had also been boosted with a view to combating corruption; this priority had therefore been fulfilled.

Assessment (October 2002)

Hungary has consolidated its legal provisions relating to organised crime and money laundering. As regards measures to combat fraud, corruption and money laundering, a new law entered into force in January 2002.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Following the signing of the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia acceded to the European Union on 1 May 2004.

REFERENCES

Decision 99/850/EC of 06.12.1999Official Journal L 335 of 28.12.1999

Commission opinion COM(97) 2001 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission report COM(98) 700 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission report COM(1999) 505 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission report COM(2000) 705 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission report COM(2001)700 final - SEC(2001) 1748Not published in the Official Journal

Commission report COM(2002)700 final - SEC(2002) 1404Not published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2003) 675 final - SEC(2003) 1205Not published in the Official Journal

Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236, 23.09.2003]

Last updated: 19.11.2004