Hungary has not yet allayed Baltic concerns about easing entry rules for aggressor country's citizens - Braze

RIGA - Hungary has not yet allayed the Baltic countries' concerns about easing EU entry rules for citizens of the aggressor state, says Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity).

As the minister's adviser Signe Znota-Znotina told LETA, Hungary has approached representatives of the Baltic states about its decision to allow Russian and Belarusian citizens to enter the European Union (EU) without security checks.

"We appreciate this dialogue. At the same time, we would like to point out that the Hungarian side has not yet allayed our concerns about easing EU entry rules for the aggressor country's citizens and the consequences of this decision for the EU's common security. We will wait for the European Commission's (EC) opinion before assessing the situation and considering next steps," the foreign minister said. 

She noted that Latvia along with other EU member states has turned to the European Commission over the Hungarian decision's compliance with EU law. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson asked the Hungarian government for clarifications regarding its recent decision to make it easier for Russian and Belarusian citizens to enter the country and asked Budapest for clarifications.

As reported, 70 members of the European Parliament have signed an official letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, asking for stricter measures to be imposed against Hungary if the latter refuses to change its visa policy for Russian and Belarusian citizens.

The easing of the visa rules for Russians and Belarusians has raised concerns among many EU leaders and representatives, with MEPs requiring the introduction of border controls with Hungary if the latter does not change its visa policy.