As reported by the Financial Times, EU foreign ministers plan this week to support the suspension of the visa facilitation agreement with Russia. France and Germany have previously opposed it, however, according to the publication, the impending decision is alleged because several Eastern European countries have threatened to unilaterally close their borders to Russian tourists. “It is inappropriate for Russian tourists to stroll through our cities, our marinas,” the Financial Times quoted a senior EU official as saying. The ministerial meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 29, in Prague.
The Mutual Visa Facilitation Agreement was concluded between Russia and the EU in 2006 and provides, first of all, a simplified procedure for confirming the purpose of the trip for certain categories of applicants. These are members of official delegations, bus and truck drivers, scientists, students, athletes, and journalists.
At the same time, it should be taken into account that the agreement establishes several basic principles. For example, it fixes a single amount of the visa fee (35 euros), the period for consideration of an application for a visa (10 calendar days with the possibility of extending up to 30 working days – Ed.), as well as the validity period of a short-term visa. Its owner can now stay in the EU for up to 90 days within six months.
It is logical to assume that in the event of the cancellation of the agreement, there will be no complete ban on entry. However, the cost of the visa fee, terms, and rules for Russian citizens will be set by each EU country separately.