Hungarian secret service personnel were briefed on the attack by their British counterparts prior to the committee’s meeting, János Lázár said.

Zsolt Molnár of the opposition Socialist Party, head of the committee, said that the Manchester attack highlights the need for an international counter-terrorism centre. He called on the government to initiate setting up such a facility.

“Hungary is a transit country where terrorism is concerned… We cannot sit idly by while terrorists ravage the continent”, Molnár said.

Ádám Mirkóczki of radical nationalist Jobbik stressed the need to increase spending on modernising the technology and training the staff of national security organisations.

Szilárd Németh of ruling Fidesz said that the 2018 budget allocates 514 billion forints (EUR 1.6bn) to national security, 25% more than in 2017. The main areas supported will be border control, counter-terrorism and public safety, he said.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Szigetváry Zsolt