Hungary missed a Monday deadline to respond to the European Commission over security warnings about measures to make entry into the EU more flexible for Russian and Belarusian travellers and workers, it was announced Tuesday.
One day after the deadline set by Brussels to respond to a letter from the Community executive, the European Commission’s spokeswoman for home affairs, Anita Heber, indicated this Tuesday at a press conference at the institution’s headquarters in Brussels that no explanation had yet been provided by Hungary.
“We have not received any response, but we know that a response is being prepared and we are in contact with the Hungarian authorities,” Anita Heber explained.
According to the spokeswoman,It’s not just about getting a visa. Or a valid residence permit, but strict security checks are necessary,” which is why he pointed out that Hungary “always adheres to the Schengen rules,” the European borderless area.
The reaction comes after the European Commission warned Hungary earlier this month that facilitating the entry of Russian and Belarusian citizens into the Schengen area via the Hungarian border could jeopardize the security of all member states and requested detailed information.
EU warns Hungary that facilitating entry of Russians, Belarusians could jeopardize security
In a letter from Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson, to Hungarian Interior Minister, Sándor Pénéter, the Community Executive acknowledged this. Determining the rules for the entry of foreign citizens “remains a national prerogative.”
“But it is also subject to the obligation of sincere cooperation and cannot jeopardize the beneficial effect of the provisions of EU legislation,” including those relating to the Schengen area, the European Commissioner warned.
Budapest had until Monday to respond to Brussels.This response will allow the institution to assess whether the decision to facilitate the entry of citizens from Russia and Belarus is compatible with the Schengen Area rules, with the sanctions imposed and with the current security policy in force in the member states.
The debate revolves around the Hungarian government’s decision to facilitate the entry of Belarusian and Russian citizens, in contrast to the policy of EU member states, which have tightened the rules for these citizens since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, two and a half years ago.
Extending the easing of visa and work procedures for citizens of Russia and Belarus could in fact circumvent the restrictions imposed by the EU. Citizens of these countries must obtain a visa to enter the Schengen area borders and are therefore subject to a high level of scrutiny.
The European Commissioner also noted that the screening also determines whether these citizens “represent a risk to the security of the Member States.”
