Photo: «Ukrinform»
As Gazeta.Ru reports, the agreements between Russia and the European Community on easing the visa regime and on readmission were signed at the 17th Russia–EU summit back in May 2006. The agreements apply to almost all EU countries. The only exceptions will be Great Britain, Ireland, and Denmark. For the other EU members, the simplified procedure will apply to the issuance of Schengen visas for up to three months, as well as multiple-entry visas for certain categories of citizens.»
However, for the vast majority of Russian citizens – those who travel to Europe as tourists – practically nothing will change: the visa application procedure for them will remain the same. But, unlike residents of other non-European countries, they will not be subject to the significant increase in the cost of European visas. Despite the decision taken at the end of April 2006 in Luxembourg by the EU member states to raise the visa fee to €60, for Russians it will still be €35. And some categories of Russian citizens, in particular students and schoolchildren participating in exchange programs, disabled persons, close relatives of EU citizens, and people in special life situations (for example, in the event of the death of a close relative) will be able to travel to EU countries for free. Thus, the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasizes, the foreign policy department «managed to achieve special conditions for Russians in Russia's relations with EU countries».
The new rules will primarily apply to single-entry and multiple-entry visas for up to six months (with a stay in the EU of no more than three months) for members of official delegations, entrepreneurs, journalists, people in science, culture and education, students, schoolchildren, and athletes. To travel from Russia to EU countries and vice versa, to obtain a multiple-entry visa, they will only need an invitation from foreign colleagues (Previously, travelers had to gather numerous documents including certificates of financial status and confirmation of hotel reservations). And the time for a decision on visa issuance will be unified and will be no more than 10 days.
Multiple-entry visas valid for up to 5 years will be available to representatives of the intellectual elite – scientists and cultural figures. Holders of diplomatic passports will even be granted a visa-free regime for trips totaling up to three months within a six-month period, Gazeta.Ru was told by the press and information department of the European Commission's representation in Russia.
The second agreement – on readmission – is intended to solve the problem of illegal migration, the path for which could be opened by the mutual easing of the visa regime. In accordance with the reached agreement, Russian citizens or foreigners who have arrived in the EU from Russia in violation of entry and stay requirements in those states will be sent back to Russia. The EU assumes the same obligations with regard to citizens of EU member states. A specially created body – the Joint Committee – will monitor the implementation of the agreement.
But Ukraine plans to simplify the visa regime with the European Union only by the holiday season. As Interfax-Ukraine reports, the previously initialed agreements on simplifying the visa regime and on readmission between Ukraine and the EU may be signed in June of this year at a meeting of the Ukraine-EU Cooperation Council. This was announced in Brussels after a meeting of the Ukraine-EU Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security by Lana Zerkal, Director of the State Department for Legislative Adaptation of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. According to her, work on translating the document text into all languages will be completed this week. «We plan to sign the agreement on simplifying the visa regime and on readmission at the Cooperation Council meeting in June,» the director of the department said.