In his meeting with Finnish Premier Mari Kiviniemi last Friday, Putin proposed to extend the 72 hour visa-free regime currently available for ferry passengers in Sankt Petersburg to also air and train passengers.
-We are ready to look at it in the most serious manner, Putin underlined at the press conference following the meeting. He stressed however that the 72 hour rule should apply also for Russian visitors to Helsinki, a transcript posted at the government’s website reads.
The introduction of more 72-hour visa-free arrangements was discussed in connection with the opening of the new Allegro high-speed train connection, officially opened by Putin and Finnish President Tarja Halonen on 12 December.
The proposal is supported also by the Russian Railways. Head of the company Vladimir Yakunin confirms that the facilitated travelling could be introduced for the Allegro passengers if the government approves, Regnum reports.
Russia is today about to open up for several regional visa-facilitation arrangements. In early November, Russia and Norway agreed to establish a local border traffic regime, which includes visa-free travelling for local inhabitants. Russia is also negotiating with Poland about the introduction of a similar zone in Kaliningrad.
Read also: First opening in the Schengen-regime with Russia
Asked by journalists, Premier Kiviniemi did not indicate any plans for similar 30-km visa-free zones along the Finnish border to Russia, but still stressed that her country has visa-free travelling as its long-term goal.
Finland is the country which is issuing the biggest number of Schengen visas to Russians. This year, more than one million Schengen visas are expected to be issued by the Finnish consular units in Russia.
