While Russia demands that its state officials get visa-free traveling to the European Union, the EU demands that its NGOs get visa-free travelling to Russia.
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre harmonizes Norway’s visa-rules with Finland for citizens of Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions. From today, every visa granted to first time applicants will be for multiple entry, valid one year.
Finland is Tuesday announcing the opening of a dedicated visa center in Murmansk. Norway’s Consul General Øyvind Nordsletten hopes to join, but are awaiting formalities.
“This is an important step towards total abolition of visa between Russia and the rest of Europe”, says Norway’s Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. A ceremony yesterday marked the introduction of visa-free travel for residents of the border area.
Border guard service of FSB shrinks the formal border zone so towns like Nikel and Zapolyarny can freely be visited. The checkpoint at Titovka is gone and the area is ready become Russia’s first zone for visa free travel with a Schengen-country.
KALININGRAD. The European Parliament will on 14 December vote on the establishment of a multi-million people visa-free zone between Kaliningrad and Poland.
Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday signed the Federal law ratifying the agreement between Norway and Russia on visa-free travel for residents in a 30 kilometer zone on each side of the border.
