Gergely Gulyás, deputy speaker of parliament for ruling Fidesz, said that the US and all democratic countries had a right and obligation to take measures against terrorism, adding however that these measures should not infringe on the right to privacy.

Márton Gyöngyösi, of the radical nationalist Jobbik party, said the speakers at the forum “pointed out the asymmetrical nature of conflicts in the world” adding that bulk data collection was a method used by every country to a certain degree, and the countries that have more effective ways of gathering data will win the conflicts.

Gyöngyösi said that speakers representing the United States made it clear that “national security trumps individual rights” in the US.

Tamás Harangozó, of the opposition Socialists, said that several questions went undiscussed due to legal and cultural differences between the US and EU but added that European and US intelligence services would be “powerless” in uncovering terrorist threats without each other’s help.

András Schiffer, co-chair of opposition LMP, said he asked Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, whether non- US citizens will be able to pursue legal remedies against surveillance.

Nunes responded saying that lawmakers were working on a bill that would guarantee equal treatment for non-US citizens.

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MTI photo: Koszticsák Szilárd