European Union politicians are calling to remove Hungary from the open borders Schengen Area after the country announced it would be granting work visas to Russians and Belarusians. The policy, effective from early July, enables those from Russia and Belarus to bring their families and potentially secure permanent residency.
The move has drawn criticism from some other EU member states, who fear it could jeopardize European security. Finland’s Social Democratic Parliamentary Group leader Tytti Tuppurainen has called for Hungary’s exclusion from Schengen Area, and EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson warned that the bloc might take action.
However, there are no calls for similar action against Western European member states like Germany and Sweden, which host hundreds of thousands of migrants from countries where radical Islamic terrorism is endemic, such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Somalia.
Over the weekend, 70 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) signed a letter urging the unelected European Commission to investigate Hungary’s decision, which they believe could create a security loophole. The letter also suggested that if Hungary does not amend its policy, the EU should introduce new border controls to protect European citizens.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, dismissed security concerns as exaggerated and based on what he called “childish lies.” He asserted that the visa and residence permit process follows Hungarian law.
The move to grant visa access came after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán traveled to Ukraine and Russia in an effort to start peace talks amid the ongoing war between the two countries. Hungary neighbors Ukraine, and hosts hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
Orbam later met with former President Donald J. Trump in Florida. He has previously stated that Trump will end the conflict once he is elected.
Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.
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