EU countries were unable to reconcile a ban on issuing visas to the Russians - Siarto

The Hungarian Foreign Minister stated that many countries have opposed such an initiative. However, the EU will terminate a simplified visa agreement with Russia. The countries of the European Union failed to agree on a ban on issuing visas to Russian citizens. This was stated by the head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Peter Siarto following a meeting with colleagues in Prague, Bloomberg reports. According to him, many countries opposed such an initiative.

The Hungarian diplomat noted that his country also did not support this proposal. However, Peter Siarto added that the EU will cease the Simplified Visa Agreement with Russia. "It only requires a qualified majority of Member States, and it was clear from today's speeches that we have it," the Foreign Minister said. The simplified visa regime between the EU and the Russian Federation was signed in 2007.

Suspension of its action will increase the time of processing of visas, require more documentation and increase the cost of payment of the visa from 35 to 80 euros. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland have said in a joint statement that they consider the introduction of "temporary measures at national level" to limit the number of Russian citizens entering the Bloc and Schengen countries through their borders.

When asked by journalists, when the Baltic countries will implement their plans, if there is no EU decision, Latvia Foreign Minister Edgar Rinkevich said they would wait to see the results of the meeting. He added that if ministers can at least agree on the road card, "then this is a good result. " Recall that on August 31, Russian expansion Dmitry Medvedev urged to introduce a complete ban on visas for the Russians as soon as possible.