The rise in price of Russian visas for Europeans was a retaliatory measure
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Leonid Slutsky: “We never did anything worse to anyone”
State Duma deputies on Wednesday adopted in the third reading a law suspending the validity of a number of provisions of international treaties of the Russian Federation on simplifying the issuance of visas to citizens of the European Union, Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. In practice, this will mean that the cost of Russian visas will increase depending on the urgency and frequency in the range of $50-300, and the corresponding income from their issuance may increase by 2.8 times.
Representatives of a number of travel agencies noted that the listed destination of the Northern European countries is, to put it mildly, not popular among Russians, in addition, tourism industry experts recalled the existence of electronic visas, which are cheaper than paper ones.
“The law is a response to the unfriendly steps of European states to remove visa preferences,” Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, told MK. – It was the authorities of the European Community, Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland that were the first to unilaterally completely suspend the operation of international agreements with Russia on the mutual simplification of the issuance of visas, including switching to the use of increased rates of visa fees. Naturally, in such a situation, our country cannot remain in its previous treaty obligations. Russia provides visa-free entry or visa benefits to citizens of most friendly countries. Their list is known.
– Visas have become more expensive for Russians. Who ended up getting worse – compatriots or foreigners?
“We didn’t do anything worse to anyone.” Bring the mode into synchronization. What’s important is the response,” concluded Leonid Slutsky.
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