EU - Russia Travel Set to Ease

News and photos from the Moscow News (24/03/2004)

Germany and France are taking steps to normalize relations between Russia and the European Union, in response to Moscow’s concern that the EU’s expansion will entail economic losses for Russia. This means facilitating travel between the states for citizens of the EU and of Russia, the Newsru.com news site reported, citing the German newspaper Tagesspiegel .
The new project, being developed by Germany and France, will stipulate that businessmen (and possibly other categories of traveling citizens) will be granted multiple visas valid for several years. This will make travel for businessmen much easier.

The law will also make travel easier for European citizens in Russia, and for Russian citizens in Shengen countries. Visa fees will also be dropped.
The former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, among others, are set to join the European Union on May 1. The decision has sparked fears in Moscow that the expansion will entail losses for Russia. Moscow has repeatedly demanded compensation for these losses.

In light of this, the German newspaper sees the EU move as an attempt towards a consensus ahead of a May summit between Russia and the EU.
Other steps include cooperation in fighting organized crime, and a plan to open EU offices in Moscow, with members of the European Commission and member-countries represented.