Hungary on September 4 dismissed as "political hysteria" fears that its new work- and residency-permit scheme for Russian and Belarusian nationals heightened the risk of spying in the European Union. The European Commission and the European Parliament's biggest faction raised concerns after Hungary extended a "national card" system to citizens of the two countries amid the war in Ukraine. "There is no legal and security issue whatsoever when it comes to the national card," Hungary's minister for European Union affairs, Janos Boka, told a press conference in Brussels. "However there is...a clear political hysteria, which is created by the majority of the European Parliament and certain member states." Previously only available to Ukrainian and Serbian citizens, Hungary's national-card system was extended to eight countries, including Russia and Belarus, in July.
Hungary Dismisses EU 'Hysteria' Over Visa Rules For Russians, Belarusians
Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs Janos Boka (file photo)