MEPs are increasingly calling for the European Commission to suspend Hungary from the Schengen Area after it announced it will be rolling-out working visas for Russians and Belorussians. The European People’s Party has condemned Hungary’s initiative but has stopped short from calling its suspension from Schengen. EU Council President Charles Michel has raised the issue of European security concerns with the move.
The European Commission has formally requested more detailed information from he Hungarian government over its initiative. Viktor Orban visited Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this month.
Schengen membership in the EU as an EU member is not a right and certain conditions have to be fulfilled in order to be eligible for membership. Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen area last May despite having already been EU members. Malta was forced by Brussels to stop selling Maltese passports to Russians and Belorussians following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Hungary already poses a security threat to Europe via its very close relations and activities with China and Russia. For example, Hungary hosts Chinese Police officers in Budapest where they have a police station and are also allowed to patrol the streets. China is also helping the Hungarian government over its national surveillance initiatives.
Recently, in an unrelated case, the Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs has called for Hungary to leave NATO.
Website Editor
Historian and Publisher
Leave a Reply