The European Commission and Hungary are still at odds over new Hungarian visa rules for foreign workers from Russia and Belarus. Brussels is also raising concerns about espionage.
“Taking new initiatives to integrate citizens of two hostile states, Belarus and Russia, into the European Union raises serious questions,” EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson told EU lawmakers in Brussels.
The Commissioner referred to several recent incidents of alleged Russian sabotage in Europe.
The new rules pose “a potential threat to our security,” the commissioner said.
The commissioner said Budapest has so far failed to address key concerns about the lack of more thorough background checks for Russian and Bulgarian visa applicants compared to other nationals, as well as the economic necessity of the programme.
Johansson said she has asked Hungary for further clarification.
Hungary has had special entry regulations for guest workers for some time, but previously these only applied to Ukrainians and Serbs.
In July, they were extended to Russians and Belarusians, raising concerns about spying in Brussels and EU member states.
Johansson said earlier that Hungary should ensure that Russians with an espionage background are stopped through appropriate checks when travelling to the EU.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hungarian European Affairs Minister Janos Boka denied the concerns, speaking of “political hysteria”.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has maintained good relations with Moscow since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine two and a half years ago.
Orbán traveled to Moscow in July to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
