Hungary’s new visa system: Schengen access for Russian spies raises alarms
Hungary’s newest visa system opens the doors of the Schengen area to people from Russia, Belarus, and the Balkans. The Hungarian government justifies this move by citing labour needs for the Paks 2 project. However, the EU fears potential security risks. Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party, urges EU leaders to address this issue immediately.
New visa system threatens the integrity of the Schengen zone
444 writes that Hungary’s recent easing of visa restrictions for Russians, extending the National Card scheme to include workers from Russia, Belarus, and some Balkan countries, has raised significant concerns about security within the Schengen area. Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party, has expressed alarm over the potential for Russian spies to exploit this policy to gain access to the European Union. In a letter to Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Weber urged EU leaders to address this issue at their next summit, emphasising the need for immediate countermeasures to protect the Schengen zone.
National security risk
András Rácz, an expert in Russian affairs, has highlighted a significant national security risk posed by Hungary’s recent visa policy changes, which could create loopholes similar to those previously exploited by the Russian-owned International Investment Bank. This policy allows large numbers of Russians to enter Hungary and the Schengen area with minimal scrutiny.
The Hungarian government’s justification
Despite the Hungarian government’s justification related to labour needs for the Paks 2 project, Manfred Weber argues that this new immigration system could facilitate espionage activities. In response, Weber has urged EU leaders to implement robust measures to safeguard the Schengen area’s integrity and to prevent similar policy shifts by member states in the future.
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All other Schengen countries should immediate start to have strict border control checks for peopple traveling from Hungary until Hungary removes this visa program allowing basically anyone from Russia to travel freely into Schengen area. Temporary border control is allowed “in the event of a serious threat to public policy or internal security”.
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area/temporary-reintroduction-border-control_en
Fidesz, the Trojan Horse that keeps on giving. Access to Russia, the CCP and the like. And giving Hungarians, the EU and NATO lócitrom.
The only way the Schengen area can be safe is to remove Hungary from it.
As if spies from every country in the world not already arrived/lives among the enemies.
How about all those phones, 5G, big brother watching you, QR, the cams everywhere. I only meet border controls since the EU started. Besides Schengen and EU is not the same.
It’s clear why those wars worldwide continue. It’s all about spreading fear, click bait and big business c
Orbán in power far too long. The constitution needs changing for maximum of two term for the PM.
All his foreign friends are dictators, and he is constantly making friends of old enemies of Hungary, like Russia and Turkey.
Illegal aliens are flooding Europe by the million, with the E.U.’s full consent, so for the E.U. to be oh-so concerned about a wrong ‘un getting a legitimate visa is beyond laughable.
In any case, I am far more concerned about hostile Ukrainian acts than any Russian espionage.
Uh. So, basically, to work in Hungary, you no longer need a work visa – a tourist visa will do?
So much for ensuring jobs for Hungarians by keeping Johnny Foreigner out! Although we all know that ship has sailed. Gotta love the transactional nature of our Politicians – all under the guise of “Sovereignty!”.
How much do you want to bet that russia and belarus will start issuing ‘passports’ to middle eastern migrants and sending them to Hungary?
They should through Hungary out of the EU an Schengen, such a small insignificant country but such a trouble-maker.
Basically nothing changed because this is still same work permit if you read deep the rules of national card , no one without work contract still could come to Hungary for long term
Is it not time to stop your nonsensical criticism? I bet most of you have never read the new regulations. Everyone is paranoid about spies, well most spying is done through the net. Russia has excellent tech employees; these people have probably already broken into all EU systems.
Then there is legitimate spyware invented by Israeli tech experts. The spyware is widely used but not publicized. The US also has tons of tech experts, doing their best to protect their country. All fire break-ins publicized mostly mentioned personal info and not military secrets.
Spying is one of the oldest professions.
Some Russian tourists in Hungary are not going to endanger the cowardly European any more than the criminals and Muslims already admitted.