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“Delays in visa-free travel between Russia and EU unbecoming” - Russian FM
Published: 13 September, 2010, 18:40
Edited: 26 October, 2010, 23:07
TAGS: EU, Russia, Travel, Politics
European Union’s failure to make a political decision on switching to visa exempt travel with Russia has been slammed as unseemly by Moscow.
The delays seriously hinder further development of relations between the two sides, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
The statement was made at a meeting with the representatives of the European Business Association in Moscow.
Europe's concerns that migration control standards will be lowered if visa requirements are cancelled are groundless, stressed Sergey Lavrov.
The switch to visa-free travel "does not pose any threat to the security of either Russia or the European Union," he said, adding that until recently, Russians did not need visas to travel to some countries in Eastern Europe.
The EU cancelled visas for a number of countries around the world, Lavrov noted.
"There are simply no grounds to refuse inclusion of the Russian Federation on this list," the minister said.
Talks regarding the adoption of a visa-free regime between Russia and the European Union began several years ago.
Moscow forwarded its proposals on the issue to the EU at the summit in Rostov-on-Don in May this year and is still waiting for a "quick and positive” reaction to them.
“We hope that, on the basis of those proposals, we will be able to reach an agreement on specific parameters for transitioning to a visa-exempt regime," Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
13.09.2010, 16:37
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I agree Russia is a beautiful country, and the cultural exchanges between europe and Russia would benefit everybody. Tourism business etc. How do sailors on merchant ships manage to enter the country? or do they have to stay on board ship when they are in port (I think not) so let everybody travel where they wish in europe and russia. We only get one life so why not learn as much about the world as we can. I am sure Many millions of europeans feel the same. Regards Ralph
Today October 26th I saw a report on French TV witch amused me. In a cynical way to put down Russia, it was said that the largest country is loosing population at a fast pace (500 to 700000 every year) because Russians are not happy, they drink too much and consequently make less babies. Since E-U is in such a good shape with France having 25% unemployment in the minus 25 years old. Knowing Russia as I do, I am convinced that if this country suppress visas, then soon her population will get back to normal. You just have to watch the news in the French cities' banlieue (cars burning, fights with police, insecurity everywhere). French are the happiest people in the World. Vive les médias bolchevisés français et l'ignoble comédien machiavélique qui nous gouverne...Sorry Future French Generations; for your own sake, learn Russian.. Best Regards. JCM