Heleniksi (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Italian PM Meloni calls illegal immigration a security threat, urging the EU to protect borders from Russia, criminals.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that illegal immigration is a security threat for the European Union, and the alliance must defend its boundaries from the danger posed in this respect by Russia and criminal associations.
During a press conference after a European Union summit on security in Finland, Italian Prime Minister said:
Tackling the issue of illegal immigration solely on a solidarity basis debate was a mistake in my opinion. The result is that we have been unable to protect our borders … We want to defend our external borders and we will not allow Russia or criminal organisations to undermine our security.
In the wake of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine (24 February 2022), the European Commission stated that any proceeding or planned arrangement in home affairs with Russia has been stopped. The Visa Facilitation and Readmission deals came into effect on 1 June 2007. On 11 April 2011, the European Council assumed a mandate for the renegotiation of the Visa Facilitation Agreement. Following the Russian military attack against Ukraine, the Commission immediately submitted a partial break of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.
In July this year, Hungary’s conclusion to extend its lax “national card” immigration agenda to include Russians and Belarusians has attracted denunciation. Hungary posted details of a new fast-track visa scheme for citizens of eight nations, including Russia and Belarus, to enter Hungary. Formerly the cards were only unrestricted to Ukrainian and Serbian nationals.
Hungary’s “national card” permits its holders to operate in Hungary for up to two years. The system is easier than getting a regular job permit or a business visa and also allows family reunification.
