Nordic and Baltic states have sent a joint letter to the EU expressing concern over Hungary’s decision to ease entry requirements for Russian and Belarusian citizens.
In July this year, the Hungarian government led by Viktor Orbán, added eight non-EU states to the list of countries from which workers can enter Hungary more freely. These included Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.
Since these citizens receive national cards, they can also enter other Schengen Area countries freely, raising security concerns among other EU nations.
The letter, signed by the foreign and interior ministers of the concerned countries and addressed to EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, states: “Russia continues its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. There is a constant stream of news of atrocities and repeated violations of international law. In addition, Russia has intensified its aggressive hybrid actions against the EU and Schengen countries. These include sabotage, acts of violence, provocations at borders and instrumentalization of migrants. We all concluded together at the recent NATO Summit [in Washington] that these actions constitute a threat to our security”.
It adds: “It is therefore with concern that we have followed the recent news regarding the decision of Hungary to extend its system of national cards for citizens of Russia and Belarus. Regardless of whether it falls under national or Union competence, we are worried that this decision may constitute a serious security risk to all Member States.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Hungary’s policy on Russian and Belarusian nationals is in no way justified in light of Moscow’s continued aggression against Ukraine.
“[T]his constitutes a great security threat to us all,” he said, adding that “We must continue raising the cost of the war for Russia and isolating Russia internationally for as long as the aggression in Ukraine continues, not make it easier for Russian citizens to enter the free and democratic world to enjoy everything they are trying to take from Ukraine.”
Orbán, Hungary’s populist prime minister, flew to Moscow in July to meet the Russian President Vladimir Putin, a visit that drew significant scorn from other EU leaders.
Since these citizens receive national cards, they can also enter other Schengen Area countries freely, raising security concerns among other EU nations.
The letter, signed by the foreign and interior ministers of the concerned countries and addressed to EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, states: “Russia continues its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. There is a constant stream of news of atrocities and repeated violations of international law. In addition, Russia has intensified its aggressive hybrid actions against the EU and Schengen countries. These include sabotage, acts of violence, provocations at borders and instrumentalization of migrants. We all concluded together at the recent NATO Summit [in Washington] that these actions constitute a threat to our security”.
It adds: “It is therefore with concern that we have followed the recent news regarding the decision of Hungary to extend its system of national cards for citizens of Russia and Belarus. Regardless of whether it falls under national or Union competence, we are worried that this decision may constitute a serious security risk to all Member States.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Hungary’s policy on Russian and Belarusian nationals is in no way justified in light of Moscow’s continued aggression against Ukraine.
“[T]his constitutes a great security threat to us all,” he said, adding that “We must continue raising the cost of the war for Russia and isolating Russia internationally for as long as the aggression in Ukraine continues, not make it easier for Russian citizens to enter the free and democratic world to enjoy everything they are trying to take from Ukraine.”
Hungary is among the few European nations that has maintained ties with Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Together with my Nordic-Baltic colleagues I sent a letter to #EU’s @YlvaJohansson to express concern over #Hungary’s decision to ease entry for Russians & Belarussians.
— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) August 16, 2024
This is not justified when Russia continues its war in #Ukraine & is intensifying hybrid actions against EU. pic.twitter.com/I3huZ73DqJ
Orbán, Hungary’s populist prime minister, flew to Moscow in July to meet the Russian President Vladimir Putin, a visit that drew significant scorn from other EU leaders.
Source: ERR, Baltic Times, TVP World
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