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Hungary on Wednesday responded to Brussels’s request for an explanation for its easing of entry requirements for Russian and Belarusian citizens, dismissing concerns about possible security risks in the EU’s Schengen border-free travel area.
This letter, public The letter from Hungarian Minister of European Affairs János Bóka to EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson was sent on EU Commission sets deadline for Hungary to respond A query on easing entry requirements for Russian and Belarusian nationals was due on Monday (August 19).
Earlier this month, Johnson warned Hungary that its decision to ease visa restrictions for Russian and Belarusian citizens posed a potential threat to security and said she would take action if her concerns were not addressed.
Hungary’s immigration program, recently opened to Russia and Belarus, allows “guest workers” to stay in the country for two years, renewable for three years and paving the way for permanent residency.
EU officials and many EU member states have expressed concern that the move could be used by Russian spies and saboteurs as a backdoor into the bloc’s border-free Schengen area.
“The issuance of national cards will be carried out in accordance with the relevant EU framework and with full consideration of the possible security risks involved,” Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pintel wrote in the letter.
Pinte stressed that applicants will be subject to the same rigorous review process as other licenses.
“In this regard, Hungarian legislation and practice have not changed and the Commission has raised no objections to this so far,” Pintel said, adding that an annex to his letter, which has not yet been made public, would provide detailed responses to questions raised by Brussels.
He added: “Hungary continues to attach great importance to protecting its national security and the security of the entire Schengen area.”
Boca also said that “only a small number of Russian and Belarusian citizens living in the EU are in Hungary, and Hungary is responsible for issuing only a small number of residence permits.”
A European Commission spokesperson confirmed to Euractiv on Wednesday that it had received the letter, but did not specify what the next steps would be.
“We just received the letter. We need to analyze it,” she said.
(Editing by Daniel Ek)
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