Russia and Europe could scrap visas in 2014, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"We shall work to complete most parts of the Joint Steps by the [EU-Russia summit in late 2012], which would allow us to make a decision to start talks on drafting an EU-Russia agreement on visa abolition and, possibly, get visa-free travel introduced by as early as 2014," Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Information and Press Mariya Zakharova told reporters.
The transcript of her answers was posted on the ministry’s website on Friday.
Certain progress has been achieved in the work of scrapping visas, she said. In particular, a list of joint steps has been prepared regarding the transition towards visa-free travel for short-term visitors, involving, in particular, closer cooperation among Russian and EU migration, border and law enforcement services.
"The implementation of the Joint Steps was discussed at the initial consultations between Russian and EU experts in Moscow on March 14-16. Interim results will be announced at a session of the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council on freedom, security and justice and in October 2012. This matter is also due to be discussed in substance at the EU-Russia summit in Brussels in December 2012," the Foreign Ministry official said.
