A number of leaders have already required that immediate action be taken as the security of the bloc is massively endangered now that citizens of Russia are able to enter Hungary under a facilitated regime, EU Helpers reports.
Hungary, which currently holds the EU Council Presidency, decided earlier in July to expand its so-called National Card immigration programme to include Russians and Belarusians.
On the basis of this card, nationals of Russia and Belarus are eligible to enter Hungary for work purposes without being subject to security screenings and are subject to simplified visa procedures.
Once in the country, they are issued permits with a validity period of two years, which can be renewed for an additional three years, opening the way for possible permanent residence.
Hungary Is Endangering Europe’s Security, Weber Stressed
Taking into account the severity of the matter, the leader of the EPP Group in the EU Parliament, Manfred Weber, said that any member state that allows the entry of Russians into the EU without checking their documents is endangering Europe’s security.
Weber further emphasised that there should be consequences for Hungary and that the EU must clarify this issue at its next summit.
The German Federal Ministry of Interior has also called for measures against Hungary for allowing facilitated entry into its territory for Russian citizens.
A spokesperson said on behalf of the Ministry that the danger of Russian espionage is high and that the matter should be treated as a priority.
Finnish MEPs Also Called for Stricter Sanctions Against Hungary
The Finnish members of the EU Parliament have also criticised Hungary for easing its visa rules for Russians and have called for stricter sanctions against the country.
Maria Ohisalo and Sebastian Tynkkynen have both said that Hungary’s right to vote in the European Council should be suspended.
Ohisalo said for Yle News that Hungary has shown that it is not committed to the EU’s common values and that this “breaking of the rules” is a good enough reason to strip the country of the right to vote in the Council.
Ohisalo further argued that the EU should tighten its rules further when it comes to providing funds to Hungary.
In addition to these two Finnish MEPs, the Member of the Finnish Parliament and the leader of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, Tytti Tuppurainen, has also called for measures against Hungary amid the current situation.
Tuppurainen has said that Hungary should be excluded from the Schengen Area and that internal border controls should be introduced with the country.
Moreover, MEP and ex-finance minister Eero Heinäluoma has said that the current EU presidency leadership by Hungary should be suspended as the country is clearly not committed to the EU’s values and principles.
Commissioner Johansson Warned Hungary She Will Take Action
In response to the concerns raised by the EU leaders, the European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said that she had already written to the Hungarian government.
In the letter, Johansson requested answers from Hungary by August 19 and warned that it would take action against the country if the Schengen Area was at risk due to Hungary’s visa facilitation for Russians and Belarusians.
