Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hungary answered the European Union’s request for an explanation over its easing of entry conditions for Russian and Belarusian nationals, dismissing worries about potential security risks to the Union’s Schengen border-free travel zone.
How Is Hungary Responding to EU Pressure on Its Visa Policy?
The letter shared by Hungary’s Europe Minister János Bóka and addressed to EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, came after a European Commission deadline for Hungary to answer questions about the easing of entry conditions for Russian and Belarusian nationals expired on Monday (19 August).
The deadline came after Johansson cautioned Hungary earlier this month that its decision to ease visa rules for Russian and Belarussian nationals posed a potential security danger and said she would make an effort if her concerns were not addressed.
Could Hungary’s Immigration Program Serve as a Backdoor for Russian Espionage?
Hungary’s immigration programme, recently extended to Russia and Belarus, allows “guest workers” to stay on the land for two years, renewable for a further three years, and can pave the path for permanent residency. EU officials and many of the bloc’s member states have raised concerns that the move could be used as a backdoor for Russian spies and saboteurs to penetrate the EU’s border-free Schengen zone.
How Does Hungary Justify Its Relaxed Entry Conditions for Russian and Belarusian Nationals?
In a letter sent by the minister of interior was informed that the same migration and security screenings as for other residence permits are carried out when the application for the National Card of Russian and Belarus citizens is estimated.
“The National Card will be issued following the relevant EU framework and with due consideration of the possible security risks involved,” Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér noted in the letter. Applicants would be subject to the same stringent screening process as for other permits, Pintér highlighted.
“In this respect, the Hungarian legislation and practice, which the Commission has not objected to so far, has not changed,” Pintér stated, adding that an annexe to his letter, which has not been made public, would deliver detailed answers to the questions posed by EU. “Hungary continues to place great emphasis on the security of its national security and the security of the Schengen zone as a whole,” he said.
