The EU will completely suspend an agreement concluded with Russia to facilitate the issuance of visas for travellers. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell announced this on Wednesday after the meeting of foreign ministers in Prague. The measure is another punitive measure in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been going on for more than six months. So far, only business people or government officials have been affected.
It is intended to allow Member States to easily impose entry restrictions on Russians and to increase costs and workload for applicants. For example, the visa fee is no longer set at 35 euros and the standard processing time of ten calendar days after receipt of the application no longer applies.
Borrell said the suspension of the visa agreement will significantly reduce the number of new visas issued.
The application can take up to two months
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said it could take months in the future for Russians to apply. At the same time, they believe it remains possible to allow students and journalists to enter the country, for example. The aim is also to prevent people from turning against the EU in frustration over Western sanctions rather than against their own president.
Schallenberg does not want to ‘abolish the whole country’
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) had also spoken out against a complete visa ban for Russians. “We cannot cancel an entire country. That would not be wise,” Schallenberg said on Wednesday in the morning newspaper Ö1. The sanctions should be directed against the system of Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin and not against the Russian people.
So far, the visa facilitation agreement that came into effect in 2007 has only been suspended for businessmen, government officials and diplomats. This decision was taken on February 25, shortly after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
