Speaking in a press conference following bilateral talks with Swedish Premier Fredrik Reinfeldt in Stockholm Wednesday, Putin said that the ferry connection between Stockholm and Sankt Petersburg will be reopened and that Swedish passengers will get the chance to visit the Russian city without visa.
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If introduced, Swedes will be able to visit Sankt Petersburg for 72 hours without obtaining a visa. The regime will only apply to passengers of the ferries. Finland and Russia already have a similar facilitated visa regime for the ferries trafficking between Helsinki and St. Petersburg.
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Putin admits that the unilateral abolishment of visas violates the principle of reciprocity, but still argues that the facilitated travelling regime will positively stimulate bilateral contacts. In the press conference, available as web TV on the Swedish government website, the Russian Premier also expressed hope that Sweden and other Schengen countries will eventually facilitate travelling regulations also for Russians visiting EU members.
