The European Union has expressed concerns over Hungary's relaxed visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, shares the concerns raised by the conservatives in the EU Parliament and has sent a letter to Budapest seeking clarification.
Johansson emphasized that Russia poses a security threat and granting easy access to potential Russian spies and saboteurs undermines everyone's security. Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, signed a decree in early July expanding the expedited visa process to include eight countries, including Russia and Belarus.
This allows citizens of these countries to apply for national cards to work in Hungary. Previously, these cards were only available to Ukrainian and Serbian citizens.
The conservatives in the EU Parliament have raised concerns about the potential espionage risk and the ease with which Russians can move within the borderless Schengen area. The relationship between the EU and Hungary has long been tense, and Orban's unapproved trip to Moscow in early July has further fueled criticism.
