European Commission has proposed suspension to fully suspend the Visa Facilitation Agreement with Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.
This was disclosed by the Commission on Tuesday, while the suspension in response to increased risks and threats to Union’s security interests and the national security of Member States as result of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
According to the statement, “Country like Russia, waging aggression war, shouldn’t qualify for visa facilitations as long as it continues conducting its destructive foreign policy and military aggression towards Ukraine, demonstrating a complete disregard to international rules-based order.
“Which means that Russian citizens will no longer enjoy privileged access to the EU and face a lengthier, more expensive and more difficult visa application process.
“Member States will have wide discretion in processing short-stay visa applications from Russian citizens, and will be able to ensure greater scrutiny in respect of Russian nationals travelling to the EU.
“As the EU will remain open to certain categories of Russian visa applicants travelling for essential purposes, including notably family members of EU citizens, journalists, dissidents and civil society representatives.
Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis , said: “The EU’s visa policy is a mark of trust a trust that Russia has completely undermined with its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.
‘As long as Russia’s military aggression towards an EU candidate country lasts, Russian citizens cannot enjoy travel facilitations to Europe. Once again, the EU is showing its unwavering unity in its response to Russia’s military aggression.”
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson said: “Russia continues to violate international law with its illegal military actions, committing atrocities against Ukrainians and undermining European and global security and stability.
“These actions breach the fundamental principles on which the Visa Facilitation Agreement was concluded and go against the interests of the EU and its Member States. Today’s proposal shows a strong and united EU response.
“We will soon follow up with additional guidelines to ensure enhanced scrutiny on visa applications and border crossings by Russian citizens, without cutting ourselves from Russian dissidents and civil society.”
The proposal to suspend the Visa Facilitation Agreement will put an end to all facilitations for Russian citizens applying for a short-stay visa to the Schengen area. The general rules of the Visa Code will apply instead.
In practice, Russian applicants will face: A higher visa fee: The visa fee will increase from €35 to €80 for all applicants. Increased processing time: The standard deadline for consulates to take a decision on visa applications will increase from 10 to 15 days.
This period may be extended up to a maximum of 45 days in individual cases, when further scrutiny of the application is needed. More restrictive rules on multiple-entry visas: Applicants will no longer have easy access to visas valid for multiple entries to the Schengen area.
A longer list of supporting documents: Applicants will have to submit the full list of documentary evidence when applying for a visa. They will no longer benefit from the simplified list included in the Visa Facilitation Agreement.
EU concluded Visa Facilitation Agreements only with a limited number of countries. “These Agreements are based on mutual trust and respect of common values between the EU and the given country.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is incompatible with a trustful relationship and runs counter to the spirit of partnership on which Visa Facilitation Agreements are based. It justifies measures to protect the essential security interest of the EU and its Member States.
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