The European Union is worried that a new Hungarian visa rule for foreign workers from Russia and Belarus could endanger EU security, after a leading conservative politician warned the trade bloc about the rule.
European People’s Party’s (EPP) Chairman Manfred Weber warned European Council President Charles Michel in a letter that the visa liberalization move could pose a “serious risk” to EU security.
Hungary has 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 the visa regulations, foreign workers may stay for two years and then have their stay extended for three years at a time – for as often as they wish.
Foreign workers may also work in any profession. However, in order to benefit from the regulation, they must prove that they have a job, accommodation and health insurance in Hungary.
“Such a policy could create grave 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 for EU leaders to address the Hungarian visa rules at the next summit in October.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government is viewed as close to Russia by other EU member states.
Orbán came under fierce criticism from other EU countries for recent visits to Kiev, Moscow and Beijing on a self-proclaimed “peace mission” to end the Ukraine war.
The European Commission said it would contact the Hungarian government about the new visa rules. A spokeswoman said that Russia is considered a threat to the EU.
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