From now on, EU countries will issue visas to Russians on an individual basis, taking into account personal circumstances.
The European Union has agreed to suspend the simplified procedure for issuing visas to Russian citizens. This was announced by Josep Borrell, head of EU diplomacy, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Prague on Wednesday, August 31.
“We have seen a significant increase in border crossings from Russia to neighboring states since mid-July, which has become a security risk factor for these neighboring states. Moreover, we have seen many Russians are traveling for pleasure and shopping as if there was no war in Ukraine. Member States believe that we are not doing business as before, and this cannot happen,” he said.
In this regard, the EU has come to a political decision. “This is not a legislative text, but political agreements, we agreed that something must be done. First: the complete suspension of the EU-Russia visa facilitation agreement. Complete suspension,” said the diplomat.
According to him, this will significantly reduce the number of new visas issued.
“It will be a more difficult and longer process. And the number of new visas will be significantly reduced. This is a collaborative approach that will prevent Russians from ‘visa shopping’, traveling back and forth,” added Borrell .
The diplomat also said that the European Commission was instructed to create recommendations on what to do with the issued visas for Russians.
“There is a common understanding that this will allow visas to be issued on an individual basis, and especially for specific groups of people. We do not want to isolate ourselves from the Russians against on the war in Ukraine, from Russian civil society,” Borrell explained.
“Furthermore, the ministers agreed that the passports issued by the Russian authorities in the occupied territories of Ukraine will not be recognized. about the millions already in existence. There was a common understanding that it should also solve. And this situation also requires a joint Therefore, we agreed to invite the Commission to consider this difficult situation and give directives,” said Borrell.
So, the EU will not stop issuing visas to Russians, but the process of obtaining them will be longer, countries will refuse them more often, and the visa itself will increase in price from 35 to 80 euros.
On the eve it became known that Germany suspended the simplified visa regime in the Russian Federation.
And now Finland, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have expressed their readiness to independently restrict the issuance of visas for Russians until Europe makes a general decision.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.