EU Commissioner Johansson concerned about Hungary’s National Card Scheme

Honourable Members,

Russia is a threat to peace. A threat to democracy. A threat to the European Union.

Last week in Prague President von der Leyen gave an important speech on the Russian threat.

She said: “We must think about our Union as intrinsically a security project.”

That means: Security must become central to everything we do.

Not only military security. Economic security. But also: internal security. Because there’s danger from the outside, we need security on the inside.

The challenges during my mandate were several, but mainly I should say the fight against terrorism, organised crime. And I’ve been able to do a lot.

One of the challenges of your mandate – as Members of the LIBE committee – will be the Russian threat to internal security. Concern for our security.

That’s why you asked me today to discuss Hungary’s national card scheme. A new type of resident permit that allows easy entry into the EU for work. At first only open to Ukrainians and Serbians. In July extended to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. And Belarus and Russia.

On the one hand the scheme is open to 6 EU candidate countries. On the other hand, it’s also open to two states that are hostile to the European Union. You are right to be concerned.  And the Commission has expressed that concern to Hungary. We are now working to establish the facts and that process is ongoing.

But let me say from the outset: We live in a time of great geopolitical danger. We have to focus on our security and protect the external EU border. That’s why we’re soon switching on the entry exit system, the world’s most advanced border management system. That’s why we’re switching on interoperability.

That’s why I proposed a huge asylum and migration reform. With new mandatory screening procedures at the borders to better protect the border. To protect our security in these dangerous times – that’s why we suspended visa facilitation with Belarus and Russia.

It’s why we issued guidelines to Member States for strict rules on Russian visas. And intensive scrutiny of Russian nationals at the EU borders. And since then, visas for Russians have dropped almost 90 per cent.

At times like these to take new initiatives. To welcome into the European Union citizens of two hostile states – Belarus and Russia – raises serious questions. A potential threat to our security. And the gains appear trivial. Compared to the cost: the potential threat to security in the entire Schengen area.

We have Member States confronted every day by the Russian threat. There have been reports of suspected Russian sabotage and espionage, in the last weeks, months and years.

• In February ten arrests in Estonia – suspected of plotting attacks on the interior minister.
• In March in Lithuania: a Russian dissident attacked with a hammer.
• In March reports of “thousands” of hacking attempts – to sabotage railroads in the Czech Republic.
• In April: Germany arrested two German-Russian nationals on suspicion of preparing sabotage. They were taking pictures of military targets.
• In May in Poland: 9 arrests for suspected sabotage, including setting fires
• In May a fire at a metal factory in Berlin, possibly Russian sabotage.
• Two weeks ago in Germany: the threat of sabotage at two military airbases in Germany.
• Last week: Swedish intelligence Säpo warned of increased Russian espionage and sabotage, cyber attacks and disinformation.

This summer’s prisoner exchange gave us an insight on the lives of Russian spies in Europe:

Including:

• A spy living in Norway pretending to be a Brazilian academic.
• And most remarkable, a Russian couple living in Slovenia as Russian agents.

This is a time for more vigilance, not less. This is not the time to be soft on security, potentially undermining the security of the entire Schengen area. And certainly undermining trust and solidarity in the Schengen area.

Because in Schengen we keep each other safe. Member States share an external border. And share responsibility for protecting the border and upholding security inside the Schengen area.

On 1 August I sent a letter to the Hungarian Minister of Interior on this national scheme.

I reminded Hungary of the need for enhanced scrutiny regarding Russian and Belarusian nationals and asked a series of questions.

I received the reply two weeks ago.

My services are now analysing the answers.

But I can already say now that the Hungarian reply leaves two aspects unclear.

First: why does the Hungarian government consider such a scheme necessary or appropriate in the current political situation?

The expected national economic gains seem limited. Disproportionate to the potential security impact for the Schengen area.

I understand Hungary has labour shortages, like almost all Member States.

But why can these workers not be found in the EU. Or through partnership with other, cooperative third countries?

Second, it appears the checks on Russians and Belarusians are no different from those on other nationalities. Despite the increased risk.

And it’s also unclear how the additional security risks posed by Russian and Belarusian citizens are taken into account when assessing their application for the National Cards.

Today I sent a second letter to the Hungarian minister to clarify these key questions. Honourable Members,

Thank you for putting this important topic on the agenda. The Russian threat will remain a defining issue the next five years. And keeping Europe safe will be your important mission.

I count on you: To serve not Russian interests, but to protect the people of Europe.

Source – EU Commission