Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Budapest's inclusion of Russian and Belarusian citizens in the "national card" program "does not pose any security risk" in terms of the Schengen zone, UNN reports.
Details
"The truth is that the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian citizens in the 'national card' program does not pose any security risk in terms of the Schengen area, as these individuals still have to undergo a comprehensive check to enter and stay in Hungary," Szijjarto wrote on Facebook the day before.
At the same time, the Hungarian Foreign Minister accused "Northern European and Baltic colleagues" of "continuing the campaign of lies against Hungary."
Addendum
After the visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Moscow, Budapest included citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus in the program of the so-called "national card" - it is issued to those wishing to work in Hungary for two years with the possibility of extension.
The EU then demanded that Hungary respond to concerns that Budapest's decision to ease visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens increases the risk of espionage in the bloc.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said she agreed with the concerns and sent a letter to Budapest asking it to respond to the list of questions by August 19.