Opening statements by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs and Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, on the Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice. MEPs review the Hungarian National Card residence permit scheme and its effects on the Schengen area with the Commission and Council. In July, Hungary expanded its National Card residence permit scheme to include nationals from Russia and Belarus. MEPs have expressed concerns that this could lower screening requirements for these individuals, potentially increasing security risks for the Schengen free-travel zone. On 4 September, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed to Parliament’s LIBE Committee that the Commission is requesting further details. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

Schengen (T2)

EU - Hungary (T)

KYRIAKIDES, Stella (CY, EC)

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice: opening statements by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs and Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner

SOUNDBITE (English), J&aacute;nos B&Oacute;KA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, Madam President. Honourable Members, Commissioner. Now I stand before this House as the representative of the Council and not as a representative of Hungary. The issue of the Hungarian national cards has not figured on the agenda of a council meeting. The Council has not defined the position on its. I can therefore only express general comments which are nevertheless relevant to defining the parameters for any debate on this issue.

SOUNDBITE (English), J&aacute;nos B&Oacute;KA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, Like other member states, Hungary offers several different types of residence permits to third country nationals. One of these permits in Hungary is entitled National Court. As you know, the competence to establish the conditions for admission and legal residence in a member state is shared between the European Union and its member states. However, when granting entry and residence to any third country nationals under any residence permit category, Member States remain bound by their obligations under EU law, including their duty of loyal cooperation and the need to carry out the necessary checks for entry into the Schengen area.

SOUNDBITE (English), J&aacute;nos B&Oacute;KA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, Allow me to emphasise that the rights of any member State to issue national residence and work permits that may offer some degree of procedural facilitation or other advantages to certain third country nationals does not imply as such an infringement or circumvention of EU rules. As regards the security of the Schengen area specifically, all checks under the relevant Schengen instruments will continue to be carried out. I thank you very much for your attention.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Dear President, Honourable members, Russia is a threat to the European Union and that is why today you put this issue on the agenda. Hungary's national card scheme, in particular its extension to Belarussian and Russian nationals. This scheme was introduced in January, as a type of residence permit, first opened only to Ukrainians and Serbs. In July, it was extended to citizens of Belarus, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, In short, it is now open on the one hand to six candidate member states of the EU and on the other hand to two states hostile to the European Union. And that, of course, raises questions. Especially because Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to protect our security, we have been making it harder, not easier, for Russian nationals to enter the European Union. We suspended visa facilitation with Russia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, We should guidelines to member States for stricter visa rules and intensive additional scrutiny of Russian nationals at the EU borders, and visas for Russian citizens have dropped by nearly 90%. We are now currently looking into the implementation by Member States of these guidelines to see if we need further action. We were right to introduce stringent measures, and this is demonstrated by the increasing reports of suspected Russian espionage and sabotage from many Member states.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, The exchange this summer of Russian spies and criminals with dissidents and Western journalists illustrates how far Russia is willing to go to infiltrate us. The most striking case, a couple who had been living undercover as sleeper agents. In recent weeks, National intelligence services, Swedish and Norwegian, have warned that the risk of Russian sabotage is on the rise. At a time like this, making it easier for citizens of two hostile states to enter the EU raises serious questions. That's why Commissioner Johansson asked Hungary for an explanation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, On August 1st, she sent a first letter to the Hungarian Minister of Interior, reminding Hungary of the need for enhanced scrutiny and vigilance regarding Russian nationals and asking a series of questions. We received a reply on 21st August, and two key questions remain. First, why does the Hungarian government consider it necessary or appropriate to give Russians easy access to the EU in the current political situation? Why can these workers not be found in the EU or through partnership with other cooperative third countries?

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Second, it appears that the checks on Russian citizens are no different than those from other nationalities. Despite the increased risk. It's unclear how the additional security risks posed by Russian citizens are taken into account when assessing their application for the national cards. Two weeks ago, the commissioner sent a second letter to the Hungarian authorities to ask precisely these questions. Last week, Commissioner Johansson and the Hungarian minister of the interior spoke about this issue and he provided some clarifications.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, The Commission is now waiting for the written explanations. Honourable members, Belarus and Russia threaten the security of the EU. Instrumentalization of migrants, disinformation, infiltration, sabotage and espionage. So I thank you for putting this important topic on the agenda today, and I am very much looking forward to this debate.