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The European Commission launched a probe on Thursday after several media reports alleged that the Hungarian secret services were trying to recruit EU employees in Brussels as informants.
The agents, who reportedly posed as diplomats of the Hungarian Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, are said to have targeted Hungarian staff at the European Commission, where sensitive files related to the country were prepared and discussed.
The Commission said it took the allegations seriously and that it does its utmost to protect its staff and information from illicit intelligence-gathering activities.
“We will be setting up an internal group to look into those allegations,” Commission spokesperson Balázs Ujvári said.
Earlier, Hungary’s Direct36, together with German outlet Paper Trail Media and Belgium’s De Tijd newspaper, reported that Hungarian intelligence services were allegedly trying to recruit Hungarians working in EU institutions to build a network.
According to the reports, one undercover Hungarian agent was also seconded to the European Commission, where he worked on security files and had access to sensitive data.
Questions arise about Várhelyi
According to media reports, the network operated under the diplomatic cover of Hungary’s Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.
Most of those activities happened between 2012 and 2018, during a period when relations between Budapest and Brussels soured over questions regarding rule of law, democracy and media freedom in Hungary.
Between 2015 and 2019, the permanent representation was led by Olivér Várhelyi, who is now the European Commissioner for Health.
The Commission spokesperson, answering Euronews’ question, said the spy ring allegations did not exist in 2019, when Várhelyi obtained his security clearance to become a European Commissioner.
“I don’t think we had this type of information at that moment,” Ujvári said.
He added that all Commissioners must undergo security screening and hearings at the European Parliament.
“When it comes to Commissioners, it’s their responsibility to ensure that they comply with the treaty provisions and the code of conduct. And when assuming their duties, they undergo a thorough scrutiny process, including the European Parliament hearing.”
According to the spokespersons, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is aware of the incident.
No comment from the European Parliament
The European Parliament press service had no comment on the matter at this time. The service highlighted that the Parliament constantly monitors security and cybersecurity threats and deploys all the necessary measures to prevent them.
As part of the general prevention strategy, measures have been taken in recent years to mitigate potential security risks, including enhanced guidance for members and staff, the press service said.
Euronews has reached out to Hungary’s permanent representation in Brussels for comment. Budapest has not reacted to the allegations at this time.
István Szent-Iványi, a foreign policy expert and former deputy foreign affairs minister, said the issue was “scandalous” and that it proves Hungary considers the European Commission and the Parliament as “enemies”.
“It is concerning that they wanted to recruit Hungarian EU staff. As a result, there is a distrust towards Hungarian employees, as they are seen as potential spies and enemies,” Szent-Iványi wrote in a post on Facebook Thursday.
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