INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Hungary on Wednesday 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 group raised
concerns after Hungary extended a "national card" system to citizens of the two countries amid the war in Ukraine.Hungarian Prime Minister
Viktor Orban is the only EU leader to have maintained close ties with the Kremlin since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its
neighbor Ukraine in 2022."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.The same month, Orban enraged fellow EU leaders by jetting to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, just days after Hungary
took on the EU's six-month rotating presidency.Boka described the timing of the visit and of the extension as a "coincidence," adding the
scheme did not impact the visa and entry procedure.Its benefits were strictly related to the labor market, allowing an easier procedure for
family reunification and the hiring of prospective workers, he said.Since July, Hungary has issued only 14 national cards to Russian and
Belarusian citizens, he said, arguing other EU member states granted far more residence permits to nationals of the two countries.Whether
believe this is a national security issue, then the discussion should not be about Hungary."In July, the European Parliament's biggest
group, the conservative European People's Party (EPP), complained the relaxed rules could create "grave loopholes for espionage
activities" as Russia tries to target the EU amid the war in Ukraine.The EU's home affairs commissioner later agreed with the concerns and
sent a letter to Budapest requesting they respond to a list of questions.
