Hungary leaves EU's request for visa facilitation for Russians and Belarusians unexplained - Euractiv
Kyiv • UNN
The deadline for Hungary's response to the EU's request for changes to the immigration program for Russians and Belarusians has passed. Eight Baltic and Nordic countries have expressed security concerns over the changes.
The deadline set by the European Commission for Hungary to respond to questions about easing entry requirements for Russian and Belarusian citizens expired on Monday, August 19, and the European Commission confirmed that as of Monday afternoon there was no response, Euractiv reports, UNN writes.
Details
In early August, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson sent a letter to her Hungarian counterpart, Sandor Pinter, asking for an explanation of the changes made to the country's immigration program.
According to recent changes, Hungary has eased the entry requirements for Russians and Belarusians to work in the country, granting "migrant workers" a two-year stay with the possibility of extending it for another three years.
Although the issuance of long-term visas and residence permits is an individual matter for member states, Johannson emphasized that "such programs should be carefully balanced so as not to jeopardize the integrity of our common space without internal border controls and to take due account of potential security implications.
"Continuing the simplified processing of applications for residence and work permits for citizens of Russia and Belarus may lead to the actual circumvention of the restrictions imposed by the Union," the letter says.
Johansson asked Budapest to respond to the questionnaire "no later than August 19.
"A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed to Euractiv that as of Monday afternoon, there had been no response yet," the publication writes.
Critics believe that the changes could pave the way for permanent residence, which, given the current tensions with both countries, could threaten the security of the Schengen area of the bloc.
Eight Baltic and Nordic countries - Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden - in a joint letter sent to Brussels last Thursday, August 15, seen by Euractiv, expressed concern that Hungary's easing of restrictions could increase the threat.
"Whether it falls within national or Union competence, we are concerned that this decision could pose a serious security threat to all Member States," the group of foreign, interior and justice ministers wrote.
"Hungary's response, your analysis and next steps will be of paramount importance to ensure our national security," they said, adding that they welcome Johansson's involvement in the matter.
However, their request was met with a strong response from Budapest, which dismissed the move as an "outright lie.
The issue is likely to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign and defense ministers in Brussels next week
Before the summer vacation, in a sign of criticism of Hungary's controversial independent diplomatic efforts on Ukraine, the usually informal August EU meeting was moved to Brussels instead of Budapest.
