The Council of the European Union adopted, on September 9, a decision that fully suspends the visa facilitation agreement between the European Union and Russia.

In addition to the above-mentioned, citizens of Russia will also face increased visa processing times and more restrictive rules for the issuance of multiple-entry visas.

Commenting on the adopted decision, the Czech Minister of Interior, Vít Rakušan, said that this is a direct consequence of the actions of Russia and further proof of the EU’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine and its people.

“A visa facilitation agreement allows privileged access to the EU for citizens of trusted partners with whom we share common values. With its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression, including its indiscriminate attacks against civilians, Russia has broken this trust and trampled on the fundamental values of our international community,” Rakušan, added.

The Council’s adoption of this decision follows the proposal made by the EU Commission. The EU Commission proposed earlier this week the full suspension of the Visa Facilitation Agreement with Russia as part of the sanctions imposed on the latter due to the military invasion of Ukraine.

Commenting on the move, the EU Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, said that as long as Russia’s military aggression toward Ukraine lasts, citizens of Russia cannot enjoy the benefits of the visa facilitation agreement.

“The EU’s visa policy is a mark of trust – a trust that Russia has completely undermined with its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine,” Schinas stated.

While the EU has only decided to suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia, the four European countries that border Russia – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland – have agreed to stop issuing Schengen visas to nationals of Russia from September 19. In addition, they have also agreed to ban Russians from entering the country.

The decision of the Baltic states and Poland was announced through a joint statement. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the four countries said that the measures would be temporary. In addition, they pointed out that the measures have been adopted on the common grounds of protecting internal security and public policy.

 

Article available on SchengenVisaInfo.com