Helsinki (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Finland’s PM demands a critical assessment of Hungary’s EU Council presidency due to its extensive visa grants to Russian citizens, urging the European Commission to take action.
Why is Finland’s PM criticizing Hungary’s visa policy?
The Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, declares Hungary’s actions during its presidency of the EU Council need a critical assessment. The head of the Finnish government believes it extremely important that the European Commission assess the massive granting of visas to Russian citizens by Hungary and take appropriate steps to this end.
“Hungary’s activities as chair (of the Council of the EU – ed.) should also be assessed very critically. It is impossible to constantly go against the EU’s common line. We need to take a tough stance on this,” Orpo expressed. He noted that Finland collaborates with other EU countries in this matter.
What are the implications of Hungary’s national cards?
Since early July, Hungary has been giving “national cards,” a type of resident access, to Russian and Belarusian citizens. These do not matter as Schengen visas, which allow holders to travel through most of Europe unhindered. The work and resident passes are only valid in Hungary. Any EU member state is entitled to issue such national permits.
Hungary already gives national cards to citizens from Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Nationals from these nations can request one if they work in Hungary or intend to set up a business.
How does Hungary’s visa policy affect Russian citizens?
The easing of restrictions could also allow the Hungarian authorities, which are also aiming to attract Russian workers, particularly to assist with the construction of a nuclear reactor, whose main contractor is the Russian state company Rosatom. In addition, the processing time for national card applications will be flown up, with no special security checks needed.
According to the EU Visa Code, which applies to all components of the Schengen area, a state must check applicants’ data against the Schengen information system (SIS). The database can be utilised to find individuals for national security and border control. Several hundred Russian and Belarusian nationals are anticipated to be barred from obtaining a Hungarian national card due to individual sanctions levied in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
What is the European Commission’s stance on Hungary’s actions?
Holders of Hungary’s national card can see all 29 countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days, without having to use an otherwise obligatory Schengen visa. However, other Schengen states can deny entry, should they suspect a threat to internal security, for example. This is defined in Article 6 of the EU’s Schengen Borders Code, as Anita Hipper, a spokesperson for the European Commission, said.
“Of course, Hungary is also bound by these regulations,” she stated, adding that contact had already been appointed with the Hungarian authorities to measure the extent to which the new visa regulations would impact other bloc members.
