Brussels – The EU Fee calls for extra data from the federal government in Budapest within the dispute over particular entry guidelines for visitor staff from Russia and Belarus. In an preliminary response to beforehand requested questions, the federal government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán left two features unclear, stated EU Commissioner for Dwelling Affairs Ylva Johansson in Brussels.
“First: Why? Why does the Hungarian authorities take into account such a regulation crucial or acceptable within the present political scenario?” she requested. The anticipated financial advantages for Hungary are restricted and are disproportionate to the potential impacts on safety within the Schengen space in gentle of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Secondly, evidently the controls for Russians and Belarusians will not be dealt with in another way from these of different nationals regardless of the elevated threat, Johansson stated. She subsequently despatched a brand new letter to Budapest, requesting additional explanations.
In Hungary, there have been particular guidelines for visitor staff for a very long time. Nonetheless, they beforehand solely utilized to Ukrainians and Serbs and had been solely expanded in July. Particularly to individuals from Russia and its associate nation Belarus. EU Commissioner for Dwelling Affairs Johansson had already expressed considerations at the moment. Hungary should be certain that Russians who have interaction in espionage or pose different safety threats are prevented from touring to the EU by acceptable checks.
The Hungarian authorities vehemently defends the particular rule. There are not any authorized and safety issues, stated Hungary’s Minister for EU Affairs János Bóka in Brussels. The EU Fee and the member states had additionally had no objections to the particular rule earlier than the enlargement to Russia and Belarus. Moreover, solely ten permits for Russian residents and 4 permits for Belarusian residents have been issued prior to now two months.
In accordance with figures from the statistical workplace Eurostat in Luxembourg, 21,984 Russian nationals obtained a first-time residence allow in Germany in 2023 – making it the primary within the EU. In Hungary, it was 2,986 Russian nationals.
For Belarusian nationals, Poland leads with 255,595 first-time residence permits in 2023. In Hungary, it was 270 Belarusians. (September 4)
