Hungary did not respond in time to the concerns of a number of European Union countries that the simplification of the issuance of work visas for citizens of Russia and Belarus threatens the national security of the countries of the Schengen area. The deadline for a response to the Commission expired on Monday, reports Euractiv, citing a Brussels source, as quoted by Focus.
In early August, the European Commission sent the Hungarian authorities a letter regarding Budapest's decision to ease visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens. It contained a list of questions that had to be answered by August 19.
"The deadline set by the European Commission for Hungary to respond to questions on simplifying entry conditions for citizens of Russia and Belarus expired on Monday (August 19 – ed.)... A representative of the European commission confirmed that there is still no answer”, the media report says.
According to Euractiv, this issue is likely to be discussed at a meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs and defense of the EU countries next week.