BRUSSLES: Russians seeking to enter the European Union will face longer and stricter procedures starting from Monday, the EU Council has said, scrapping a 14-year-long deal between Russia and the bloc. “Today the Council adopted a decision that fully suspends the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia,” read a statement published on Friday. The agreement had been in place since 2007 with the purpose of facilitating visas for up to 90 days.
“A visa facilitation agreement allows privileged access to the EU for citizens of trusted partners with whom we share common values,” it said. “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,” the statement added. Suspending the deal means that visa application fees will now increase from 35 to 80 euros ($35 to $80), applicants will need to present additional documents and that the issuing process will be longer and more restrictive. The new measure will enter into force on Monday. The commission is expected to present additional guidelines to make sure the suspension does not affect those travelling to the EU for essential purposes, including journalists, dissidents and civil society representatives. –Agencues
