The European People’s Party (EPP) expresses its concern about the security risks that, in its opinion, generates the recent Hungarian decision to simplify entry conditions for Russian citizens.
The president of European People’s Party (PPE), Manfred Webersaid in a letter cited by the ‘Financial Times’ that the decision announced this month by Hungary of ease visa restrictions for Russian visitors leads “risks“and wake up”serious concerns” of National security for EU States.
The conservative group in the European Parliament estimates that the initiative would open legal loopholes which would facilitate the “activities of espionage“, by favoring the entry of significant numbers of Russian citizens under “minimal supervision“.
The letter, to which the ‘Financial Times’ newspaper had access, refers to the new rapid visa issuance system announced by Hungary recently, which would affect citizens of eight countries, including Russia and Belarusand would streamline security controls and verifications for entry into Hungarian territory.
Non-EU citizens who obtain an entry permit in an EU Member State can move through the countries that make up the Schengen area. In Weber’s opinion, the Hungarian measure urges “adopting the stricter measures to immediately protect the integrity of the Schengen area“.
Controversy over Orbán’s visit to Putin in early July
It is not the first time that relations between Hungary and Russia have raised acrimony in European politics. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s surprise visit to Moscow and meeting with Putin, sparked outrage in Brussels.
The community leaders then reminded the Hungarian president that, the fact that his country holds the rotating Presidency of the EU, “does not give him the mandate to dialogue with Russia“representing the block of 27.
