France and Germany are against the introduction of a complete ban on the issuing of EU visas to Russian citizens, the news agency Bloomberg said on Saturday. The common position of both countries was included in the letter to the foreign ministers of the European Union countries, who will meet on Tuesday at an informal meeting in Prague.
France and Germany stated that European Union it should continue to issue visas to non-governmental Russian citizens – especially students, artists, scientists and professionals. “Understanding the concerns of some member states in this context, we should not underestimate the transformative power of experiencing life in democratic systems first-hand, especially for future generations,” Bloomberg quoted in the letter.
German Chancellor Olaf ScholzPAP / EPA / CLEMENS BILAN
There are more opposing countries
She previously spoke out against a complete ban on issuing tourist visas for Russian citizens GreeceCyprus, as well as the head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell. The introduction of such a measure is supported – in addition to the three Baltic states – by FinlandDenmark, Norway, Poland and the Czech Republic.
The countries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Denmark and Poland are in favor of introducing a visa ban for Russians.
More than a million Russians have legally entered the European Union since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the information provided by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), which is referred to by the Estonian ERR portal. According to data provided by this organization, in 60 percent of cases, Russians crossed the border with Estonia or Finland. Most of them returned to the country.
Main photo source: PAP / EPA / CLEMENS BILAN