More and more Russians are traveling to the Scandinavian country for transit to other European countries.
Plan to limit the number of travel visas issued and granted to Russians presented today Thursday by the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.
More and more Russians are traveling to the Scandinavian country for transit to other European countries.
Flights from Russia to the EU were suspended after the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine on 24 February. Finland, which shares an extensive border with Russia, has therefore become an important transit country for Russian travelers.
“Many saw this as a circumvention of the sanctions regime,” the Finnish foreign minister told AFP.
Finland is seeking to join NATO, and political and popular support for joining the Alliance has soared since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, the Scandinavian country remains to this day the only member of the EU and a neighbor of Russia no restrictions on tourist visas for Russian citizens.
Schengen and Finnish law do not allow for a complete ban on nationality-based visas, but Helsinki can reduce the number of visas issued by category, including tourist visas, Haavisto noted.
Therefore, the ministry today presented a proposal to the government that would allow Finland to “preference” groups such as family members and students while reducing tourist visas.
If the government gives the green light, a decision could be made by the end of the month.
RES-EMP
Read the News today and get the latest news. Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
