Extending Hungary’s National Card Programme to include Russian and Belorusian citizens poses no security threat to the Schengen Area, as card holders undergo comprehensive vetting before they are allowed to enter or stay in Hungary, the foreign minister said on Sunday. “We are sorry to see that our north European and Baltic colleagues continue their smear campaign against Hungary,” Péter Szijjártó said on Facebook. “The truth is that involving Belorusian and Russian citizens in the National Card programme poses no security threat whatsoever for the Schengen Area, as they have to go through a comprehensive vetting process before they enter or stay in Hungary,” he said. “All statements to the contrary are lies, pure and simple, perpetuated by our northern European and Baltic colleagues blinded by their pro-war approach.”