Russian PM for visa-free travel with Finland
Russia and Finland should introduce a visa-free regime. This opinion was expressed by Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in an interview with the Finnish media.
Nov 22, 2012
Russia and Finland should introduce a visa-free regime. This opinion was expressed by Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in an interview with the Finnish media.
"Incidentally, on this issue we never had any fundamental differences with the government, the leadership of Finland; you realize the absurdity of this situation, because certainly the threat to Europe does not come from Russia in this respect," said the Russian PM.
Medvedev deplored the fact this issue was politicized: "Some states exploit it for their own purposes."
"I am convinced sooner or later we will still witness a situation where the visa regime will be canceled, and we will be able to visit each other without visas and restrictions," said Medvedev.
According to him, there is every opportunity for introduction of a visa-free regime. "We at length elaborated a road map with the EU. Unfortunately, movement in this direction is still somewhat feeble, although we have signed agreements on eased visa requirements with a number of countries, and it is working. Generally, the next move is not up to us," Medvedev concluded.
Voice of Russia, RBC
"Incidentally, on this issue we never had any fundamental differences with the government, the leadership of Finland; you realize the absurdity of this situation, because certainly the threat to Europe does not come from Russia in this respect," said the Russian PM.
Medvedev deplored the fact this issue was politicized: "Some states exploit it for their own purposes."
"I am convinced sooner or later we will still witness a situation where the visa regime will be canceled, and we will be able to visit each other without visas and restrictions," said Medvedev.
According to him, there is every opportunity for introduction of a visa-free regime. "We at length elaborated a road map with the EU. Unfortunately, movement in this direction is still somewhat feeble, although we have signed agreements on eased visa requirements with a number of countries, and it is working. Generally, the next move is not up to us," Medvedev concluded.
Voice of Russia, RBC