-Very good news await us in 2010, Mr. Frattini told television channel Russia Today, Newsru.com reports. He confirmed that his government is ready to bring the visa issue up for a vote in the EU. That could result in the opening up of the borders between the sides already in 2010.
While a positive decision in the issue earlier needed the support of all EU member countries, the new Lisbon Treaty opens up for decisions made with qualified majorities of the members. Mr. Frattini is confident that a majority of the union countries will support the proposal.
According to the Italian foreign minister, Russians now deserves the right to travel without visa in the union. He calls for a stronger engagement of Russia in international processes.
As BarentsObserver has reported, Russia has for several years proposed an abolishment of visa restrictions with the EU. Until, now however Brussels has been reluctant to make quick moves on the issue.
The facilitation of cross-border travelling in the Barents Region was also on the agenda in the recent Barents Council meeting in Murmansk.
