Hungarian Official Criticizes Dutch Stance on Russian Residents

BUDAPEST: Bence Rétvári, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior and vice-president of the Christian Democratic People’s Party (KDNP), has criticized Dutch concerns over the number of Russian residents in Hungary, pointing out that the Netherlands hosts three times as many according to EU statistics.

According to KDNP, Rétvári highlighted the disparity in Russian populations between the two countries on Facebook, noting that, while official EU statistics count 6,000 Russians in Hungary, the figure rises to over 18,000 in the Netherlands. This statement came in response to discussions among some Dutch parties about the potential risks posed by the presence of Russian citizens in Hungary, which they feared could jeopardize the country’s Schengen Area membership.

Rétvári argued that the Dutch should focus more on their internal affairs rather than making unfounded accusations against Hungary. He emphasized the need for the Netherlands to “sweep around their own house” first, challenging t
he basis of their concerns and defending Hungary’s position in the Schengen Area.