No mass tourism. Borrel told that they decided in the EU on visa restrictions for Russians
In a blog on the website of the European Foreign Affairs Service, Borrel wrote that EU countries have agreed to have a common position, "balancing the need to significantly reduce the number of Russians who go to the EU, especially for countries bordering on Russia, with the need for a more" address "approach". According to him, the possibility of trips should be kept for opponents of war against Ukraine, as well as "students, scientists, etc. ".
Borrel's Video Day also stated that it is necessary to consider what to do with many Russian Schengen visas already issued - the European Commission should give recommendations. The head of European diplomacy noted that the suspension of a simplified visa agreement with Russia will complicate the receipt of visas by Russians, and some EU countries bordering the aggressor country will be able to take additional measures-provided that this will not violate the Schengen Code of Borders.
Also, the EU Foreign Ministry has agreed not to recognize the passports that Russia distributes in the captured Ukrainian territories. Borrel reported that the work would continue in the next weeks. “It was important for me to give a clear signal: mass Russian tourism in Europe is incompatible with Russia's aggressive war against the European country. But we also do not have to allow a complete ban for all Russians, ”he wrote.
On July 31, the EU foreign ministers have reached a political agreement to completely suspend the simplified procedure for issuing visas to Russian aggressor citizens. Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have stated that they were ready to take "national measures" to reduce the number of Russians entering their countries until the EU has made a collective decision. Some EU countries, including Germany and France, oppose the full visa prohibition.