Finland PM Calls for Review of Hungary's EU Presidency

– Prime Minister Petteri Orpo of Finland has called for a critical evaluation of Hungary’s presidency of the EU Council, particularly concerning its recent decision to grant extensive visa access to Russian citizens. Orpo emphasized that Hungary's actions contradict the EU's unified stance, raising concerns about the implications of Hungary's issuance of "national cards" to Russian and Belarusian nationals since early July. These national cards, which provide residency and work access solely within Hungary, are part of Hungary's strategy to attract foreign labor, especially for projects like the construction of a nuclear reactor contracted to the Russian state company Rosatom. While EU member states can issue such permits, the move has drawn scrutiny, especially given the ongoing sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The European Commission has been approached regarding Hungary's actions, with spokesperson Anita Hipper noting that holders of these national cards can travel to all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days without a visa. However, she cautioned that other Schengen nations retain the right to deny entry if they perceive a security threat, as outlined in Article 6 of the EU’s Schengen Borders Code. The Commission has already initiated discussions with Hungarian authorities to assess the potential impact of these new visa regulations on the security and integrity of the Schengen area, highlighting the delicate balance between national policies and collective EU regulations.