The European Commission will contact the Hungarian government to clarify the scope of the scheme for facilitated issuance of visas for Russian citizens and whether EU rules are fully complied with. This was stated today by a spokesperson of the European Commission on the occasion of Budapest's intentions to ease the issuance of visas for citizens of eight countries, including Russians.
Russia poses a threat to EU security, the spokesman said. EU countries must take measures in the interest of European security, he added. According to him, countries are obliged to check each time whether all Schengen rules are followed when issuing visas. It is not only about whether the traveling foreigners have visas and residence permits, but also whether there are no data against them in the Schengen Information System that could be used to refuse entry, the spokesperson explained.
Earlier today in the "Financial Times" cited a letter from European People's Party group chairman in the European Parliament Manfred Weber to European Council President Charles Michel stating that Budapest's actions would facilitate Russian espionage. According to the publication, Budapest intends to issue visas to citizens of Russia and Belarus without a thorough investigation.