EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said on Thursday that Russian citizens should not have easy access to the European Union for tourist and entertainment purposes
BRUSSELS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th September, 2022) EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said on Thursday that Russian citizens should not have easy access to the European Union for tourist and entertainment purposes.
Johansson is currently in Latvia to discuss a new European policy on visas for Russian citizens.
"Citizens from a country responsible for war should not have easy access to tourism and leisure in the EU," the commissioner said on Twitter, referring to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, the European Commission adopted a proposal to fully suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Moscow. The decision will complicate visa application process for Russian citizens and impose more restrictions for multiple entry visas. At the same time, the proposal does not provide for a total ban on the issuance of visas to the country's citizens, as requested by several EU member states. The new visa regime may come into effect as soon as September 12. Brussels also explained that the agreement would be restored as soon as the circumstances that led to the suspension cease.
Travel between Russia and the EU became much easier in 2007 when the agreement came into force. Under the document, visa fees were reduced, the rules for obtaining a multientry visa were simplified, the list of necessary documents was reduced and visas for diplomats were abolished. In late February, after the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the EU partially suspended the agreement, canceling preferences for Russian diplomats and other officials, as well as representatives of the Russian business community. Moscow said that it considers the proposal a manifestation of chauvinism and that such a decision will invite retaliatory measures.
