MEP Zalimas: Leak of sensitive EU-level data should be treated as EU-level crime

He made the remarks to an Ukrinform correspondent while commenting on the controversy surrounding phone calls between Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"We can make definite conclusion that when the Hungarian foreign minister broke the rules on security of information because they do exist in the European Union," the MEP said.

In his opinion, the content of all meetings at the level of EU leaders or ministers should be treated as classified information. At the same time, such violations should primarily be prosecuted at the national level, "but it's clear that Hungary will not be investigating this," Zalimas said.

"We should figure out how to improve protection of EU-level classified information. We should also explore harmonizing national legislations at the EU level to allow the EU to persecute such violations," the MEP said.

At the same time, Zalimas stressed that holding foreign ministers accountable is only possible after they leave office and lose immunity.

"Such violations should be treated as an EU level crime but we still lack such legislation," the MEP said.

According to him, certain rules for handling confidential information already exist at the EU level, but there are no effective enforcement mechanisms.

"Other member states and EU institutions should be very cautious in sharing information with officials who break rules. Nobody obliges them to give them all the information," Zalimas said.

As previously reported, The Washington Post, citing current and former EU officials, said that Szijjarto had regularly informed Lavrov about plans and outcomes of EU meetings.

In response, the European Commission expressed concern and requested clarifications from Budapest.

Szijjarto confirmed that he regularly communicates with Lavrov during closed-door EU foreign affairs meetings.