Three days processing of visa-applications is history. “Always apply at least 15 days prior to scheduled departure. Our processing time is 10 days,” says Marit Egholm Jacobsen, head of the visa section at Norway’s Consulate General in Murmansk.
The first ever agreement on visa-free travel between Russia and a Schengen-member state was signed in Oslo today. The agreement stipulates how the population in the near-border areas can cross the border only by showing their ID-card.
Almost 5000 asylum seekers have crossed the Norwegian-Russian border since the European migrant crisis arose. The Norwegian government decides to toughen the asylum regulations.
KIRKENES: A group of Russian border guards last week conducted a live-fire exercise and weapons inspection at a Norwegian army post during an annual border guard exchange between the two countries.
Terrorism fears, with police and soldiers likely targets, is the reason for the special decision to allow Finnish Border Guards to be armed when on patrol in the normally relaxed town of Kirkenes in Norway’s northeastern corner.
SALMIJERVI: Contrary to earlier plans, FSB border guards reinforce the physical protection along Russia’s border to Norway. A brand new, and partly double barbed wire fence is now under construction.
A record high number of 6,8 million people crossed the Finnish-Russian border in 2010. Also the countries’ northernmost checkpoints experienced an all-time-high of travelers.
Russia works seven days a week with new highway to the border, but the Norwegian Public Roads Administration today announced that the new highway on their side will not open before 2017.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin yesterday appointed Dmitrii Bezdelov, former official in the Ministry of Defence, as new head of the federal Border Development Agency. Mr. Bezdelov’s main task will be to increase efficiency and reduce red tape and corruption on the country’s border passes.
The members of the European Parliament last week approved a resolution which supports the introduction of visa-free travel with Russia. However, the parliament sees no hurry in the issue.
Oslo: Norway’s Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre intends to work hard for the inclusion of the Varanger Peninsula in the visa-free travel zone with Russia.
