Helsinki (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The leader of the Finnish Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, MP Tytti Tuppurainen, stated that Hungary must be barred from the free movement in the Schengen Zone.
Hungary must be excluded from the free movement in the Schengen Zone, the Member of the Finnish Parliament and the leader of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, Tytti Tuppurainen has expressed. Tuppurainen’s remarks follow Hungary’s conclusion to extend the National Card Program to Russia, and Belarus.
What Are the Security Risks of Hungary’s National Card Program?
The Chairperson of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group also urged the European Union to respond to Hungary’s decision. According to her, border controls must be raised. “Hungary mustn’t be driven out of the EU, but we must protect ourselves.” She stated that border controls were raised on lesser grounds during other major events and that now is the correct time to start applying tighter checks.
“Now it’d be fitting to reinstate border controls on the borders of Hungary because Hungary’s different stance on Russians is a potential security threat for the entire union. I think that the council should convene to discuss this issue without delay.”
What Are the Implications of Hungary’s Extended National Card?
Earlier this month Hungary raised the National Card permitting “guest workers” from eight countries, taking also into account those from Russia and Belarus to reach this country without being subject to protection screenings. Hungary, which is carrying the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, presented the National Card to permit third-country nationals to perform in Hungary. The country extended the list to include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova, Russia and Belarus.
Recently, the European People’s Party (EPP) which is the biggest party in the European Parliament, stated that Hungary’s decision to facilitate entry rules for Russians and Belarussians will augment the risk of espionage while raising national security concerns.
Hungary’s conclusion has not been welcomed by the Baltic States either. The Foreign Minister of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, deemed “childish lies” the Baltic States’ authorities remarks that Budapest is endangering the safety of the Schengen Zone by extending the National Card Program to Russia and Belarus. Szijjártó said that Russians and Belarussians can only enter Hungary and thus Schengen Zone if they receive a visa, and they can only receive a residence permit in line with the procedure laid down by law, following a procedure performed by the National Directorate-General for Alien Policing.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary stated that in line with European rules, such procedures and giving of residence permits are a matter of national competence, emphasising that the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian authorities have the right to do so.
