The European Union is concerned that a new Hungarian visa rule for foreign workers from Russia and Belarus could endanger EU security, after a leading conservative politician warned the trading bloc about the rule.
The President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, warned the President of the European Council Carlos Michel in a letter that the visa liberalization measure could pose a “serious risk” to EU security.
Hungary previously operated a special visa regime for foreign workers from Ukraine and Serbia. Budapest expanded the rules in July to eight countries, including visitors from Russia and Belarus.
According to visa regulations, foreign workers can stay for two years and then have their stay extended for three years at a time – as many times as they wish.
Foreign workers can also pursue any profession. However, to benefit from the regulation, they must prove that they have employment, accommodation and health insurance in Hungary.
“Such a policy could create serious loopholes for espionage activities and potentially allow large numbers of Russians to enter Hungary with minimal supervision,” Weber wrote in a letter seen by DPA.
Weber called on EU leaders to address Hungarian visa rules at the next summit in October.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government is seen as close to Russia by other EU member states.
Orbán has been heavily criticized by other EU countries for recent visits to Kiev, Moscow and Beijing on a self-proclaimed “peace mission” to end the war in Ukraine.
The European Commission said it would contact the Hungarian government about the new visa rules. A spokeswoman said Russia was considered a threat to the EU.
