10 June 2004 08:53
RUSSIA, EU TO START VISA TALKS SOON - LAVROV
Negotiations with Russia on this issue will start soon after the EU
issues a mandate on holding such negotiations to the European
MOSCOW. June 10 (Interfax) - Russia and the European Union will soon begin negotiations on simplifying visa
procedures for the entire area covered by the EU, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference following a
government meeting.
Commission, Lavrov said.
At the same time, Lavrov admitted that lifting all visa barriers
between Russia and the EU "is not a matter that can be solved in one
The upcoming signing of agreements with France and Italy on simplifying visa procedures will promote the success of
the talks with the EU, he said.
day."
"This is a strategic goal that has been set by the EU and Russian leaderships," he said.
"We need to reinforce and equip our borders so that they comply with international standards, and for the
European Union to be confident our borders are reliable," Lavrov said.
"We will not shut down our borders [with the CIS and other neighboring countries], but openness does not imply
their availability for drug trafficking and other activities of this sort," he said.
Describing the draft agreements on simplifying visa rules with France and Italy as breakthrough documents, Lavrov
said he hopes we will sign them within the next few days.
The documents will make it easier for students, businessmen, scientists, cultural figures and certain categories of
civil servants, including government and Federation Council members and State Duma deputies, to obtain entry visas. In
addition, certain groups of citizens will be able to obtain five-year, multi-entry visas.
The foreign minister said that although the simplified visa regulations will not apply to journalists, it will be
possible for them to obtain visas under the new regulations as part of cultural exchanges.
[Interfax] |
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