Estonian PM says Hungary's behavior a cause for concern, unreasonable

TALLINN - Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal on Thursday described the actions of Hungary, which now provides an opportunity for Russian and Belarusian citizens to enter the European Union in a simplified way, as not reasonable.  

On Wednesday, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna sharply criticized Hungary's behavior. Michal confirmed on Thursday that Tsahkna's position is fully adequate and the situation is worrying. 

"Hungary's flirtation with countries whose values do not overlap with ours in any way is not reasonable," Michal said, adding that having spoken with both his Baltic and Polish colleagues in recent days, he can confirm that this is definitely a major concern throughout Europe. 

He said it is now necessary to discuss in Brussels whether Hungary's behavior requires invoking Article 7, which would suspend Hungary's voting rights, or whether Hungary's presidency term should be shortened.

"When the holidays are over and the European Council convenes in Brussels again, Estonia certainly cannot just look on when it comes to this situation," the premier said.

"It cannot be that someone uses the role of the European presidency to undermine European values," he added.

In early July, the Hungarian government expanded the list of countries from which workforce can be imported under simplified procedure. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán included Russian and Belarusian citizens in the scheme, allowing them to freely enter the European Union (EU) single market.

The scheme, effective from July 8, permits Russian and Belarusian citizens to come to Hungary, even with their families, and find work in sectors where there are labor shortages.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told Postimees that endangering the security of the Schengen area is unacceptable.

"Hungary's behavior overall has been very strange since Orbán's visits to Moscow and Beijing. He has no such mandate as part of the presidency of the Council of the EU. Article 7 proceedings have been initiated, one aspect of which is the suspension of Hungary's voting rights," he added.

Tsahkna noted that efforts are underway to understand Hungary's exact intentions. If Hungary plans to admit workforce from Russia and Belarus, it poses a security threat to the Schengen area. If Hungary proceeds with its plan, several solutions exist.

"One option is to impose total border control on Hungary," Tsahkna said.

He said the Estonian Foreign Ministry was trying to communicate with Hungary on this matter to gain a clearer understanding of their plans.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó meanwhile called the Baltic states' criticism of Hungary's decision to allow foreign workforce, including from Russia and Belarus, enter Hungary under simplified procedure a propaganda campaign, Postimees reported.

According to the Hungarian minister, the Baltic states' criticism is based on a "childish lie" because Russian and Belarusian nationals continue to need visas to enter the Schengen area and can obtain residence permits only through lawful procedures, according to The Budapest Times.

Szijjártó added that issuing residence permits and similar procedures are national competencies and Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian authorities have similar rights.

"It would be much better if my colleagues in the Baltic countries informed their citizens correctly rather than launching new smear campaigns," he said.