A CASE OF PROJECTION ⟩ Hungarian FM Accuses Baltic States of Propaganda Campaign

Photo: RUSSIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY HANDOUT

31st July 2024, 14:50

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó described the Baltic states' criticism of Hungary's decision to allow simplified entry for foreign workers, including from Russia and Belarus, as a propaganda campaign.

According to Szijjártó, the Baltic states' criticism is based on a 'childish lie' since Russian and Belarusian citizens still need a visa to enter the Schengen area, and they receive residence permits through legal procedures, as reported by The Budapest Times.

Szijjártó added that issuing residence permits falls under the jurisdiction of EU member states, and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have the same rights. "It would be better if my Baltic colleagues informed their citizens correctly instead of launching yet another smear campaign," he noted.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told Estonian newspaper Postimees on Sunday that Hungary's plan to allow Russian and Belarusian workers into the Schengen area jeopardizes the security of member states.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has eagerly posed with Vladimir Putin even after Russia launched a full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Photo: GRIGORY SYSOYEV

In early July, the Hungarian government expanded the list of countries from which simplified labor entry is permitted. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán included citizens of Russia and Belarus in this scheme, allowing them to freely enter the EU's single market.

Starting from July 8, the scheme allows Russian and Belarusian citizens to come to Hungary with their families and find jobs in sectors experiencing labor shortages.

Foreign Minister Tsahkna emphasized that endangering the security of the Schengen area is unacceptable and intolerable. "Hungary's behavior has been very strange overall, starting with Orbán's visits to Moscow and Beijing. He has no mandate for such actions as the EU presidency. Article 7 proceedings have been initiated, one of which aims to suspend Hungary's voting rights," he added.

Seemingly, Hungary's intention is to bring in workers to help develop and build a nuclear power plant in Hungary. However, experts argue that the principle of unlimited importation of foreign workers is disproportionate and suspicious. The EU's single market has no restrictions on the free movement of people, and Hungary is effectively allowing Russians and Belarusians to enter Europe through its territory, noted Daily News Hungary.

At a time when Belarus and Russia are orchestrating migration attacks against the borders of the European Union, Hungary is seeking ways to facilitate Russian and Belarusian migration into Europe. Pictured: Migration crisis at the Kuznica border crossing on the Poland-Belarus border, November 15, 2021. Photo: Leonid Shcheglov

Hungary's new foreign worker card system allows for simplified recruitment of citizens from eight non-EU countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus.

Hungary's decision has also been criticized by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Latvian Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis. Estonian authorities view Hungary's decision to admit Russian and Belarusian workers as a security threat and unacceptable. Conversely, the EU currently lacks effective mechanisms to mitigate the resulting risks.

Estonian Ministry of the Interior's Undersecretary for Internal Security Joosep Kaasik told Postimees that Hungary's move is inconsistent with the policies Estonia and the EU pursue towards Russia and Belarus. According to Kaasik, Hungary's actions are unacceptable to Estonia.

"This is another example of Hungary acting contrary to other EU countries. Estonian authorities are analyzing the situation and we are in contact with Hungary's neighbors and our EU partners," he added. "Opening a simplified official immigration channel for these two countries is unacceptable for Estonia, given that both Russia and Belarus are orchestrating migration attacks against several EU countries," said Undersecretary Kaasik.

Urmas Paet, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, commented to Postimees that Hungary's decision poses various threats. On one hand, there is the risk of Russia exploiting Hungary's open door for espionage, and on the other hand, there's the potential danger of Russian and Belarusian citizens moving extensively from Hungary.

Urmas Paet, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, states that there are no simple ways to stop Hungary from bringing Russian and Belarusian residents into the European Union. Photo: JUSS SASKA

He noted that addressing this issue is not easy, as the legal framework for restoring border controls between countries is complex. Even if theoretically possible, Paet doubted that Hungary's neighboring countries would reintroduce border controls, as it requires significant resources. "There is no easy solution here. If Hungary doesn't change its mind, the rest of the European countries will have to enhance their internal security and counterintelligence capabilities," he added.

While Hungary has increasingly gone against the grain within the EU and fostered relationships with hostile countries, Paet pointed out that there is no mechanism to expel Hungary from the EU. Theoretically, there is a mechanism to expel a country from the Schengen area, but this requires the consent of all member states. "Clear evidence is needed to show that Schengen principles are being violated and overall security is not guaranteed. Such a serious step wouldn't be taken based solely on theory," he stated. Additionally, there are countries, like Hungary's neighbor Slovakia, and possibly others that miss Russian tourists, that would likely oppose such a move.

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