Editor
Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hungary answered the European Union’s request for a proof over its easing of entry situations for Russian and Belarusian nationals, dismissing worries about potential safety dangers to the Union’s Schengen border-free journey 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, got here after a European Commission deadline for Hungary to reply questions concerning the easing of entry situations for Russian and Belarusian nationals expired on Monday (19 August).
The deadline got here after Johansson cautioned Hungary earlier this month that its choice to ease visa guidelines for Russian and Belarussian nationals posed a possible safety hazard and mentioned she would make an effort if her considerations weren’t addressed.
Could Hungary’s Immigration Program Serve as a Backdoor for Russian Espionage?
Hungary’s immigration programme, lately prolonged to Russia and Belarus, permits “visitor employees” to remain on the land for 2 years, renewable for an additional three years, and might pave the trail for everlasting residency. EU officers and lots of the bloc’s member states have raised considerations that the transfer may very well 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 despatched by the minister of inside was knowledgeable that the identical migration and safety screenings as for different residence permits are carried out when the appliance for the National Card of Russian and Belarus residents is estimated.
“The National Card shall be issued following the related EU framework and with due consideration of the doable safety dangers concerned,” Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér famous within the letter. Applicants can be topic to the identical stringent screening course of as for different permits, Pintér highlighted.
“In this respect, the Hungarian laws and apply, which the Commission has not objected to thus far, has not modified,” Pintér said, including that an annexe to his letter, which has not been made public, would ship detailed solutions to the questions posed by EU. “Hungary continues to put nice emphasis on the safety of its nationwide safety and the safety of the Schengen zone as an entire,” he mentioned.
