Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-02-14-Speech-3-283"
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"en.20070214.21.3-283"2
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"The European Union is bringing down the barriers that hinder people of good will from associating with each other. After five years of negotiations with Russia, the 'visa wall' between the EU and Russia has become a little lower. Once the visa simplification and readmission agreements come into force, a sizeable group of people will be able to travel and interact easier.
Those who are still disadvantaged are Kaliningrad residents who wish to visit Lithuania and Poland, and Lithuanians and Poles who wish to visit Kaliningrad. At the moment there is no charge for visas, but the agreement, which is supposed to make things easier for them, will actually impose the hardship of a EUR 35 charge for a visa. This goes against the principles of cross-border cooperation and against the Kaliningrad region’s anti-isolationist policy, which interests both Russia and the EU. Vilnius, Warsaw, Brussels and Berlin, as well as Moscow, are trying to negotiate bilateral solutions within the margin of flexibility of the Schengen Agreement provisions.
Lithuania has led the way as the first and only EU nation so far to have a readmission agreement with Russia. Three years of experience have been positive. Since the agreement has been in force, the Lithuanian-Russian border has been crossed by almost 2 million people; however, not once have the provisions of the agreement needed to be invoked.
I agree with a number of colleagues who have sharply criticised the agreement, especially for the lack of sufficient nexus to human rights and liberties. Nonetheless, it is a step in the right direction. On the long road toward the 'demolition of the visa wall' there are still a lot of obstacles. EU citizens coming to Russia have to register, and if they want to visit certain regions, extra permits are needed. These 'hidden' internal visas need to be done away with, because they restrict EU citizens’ freedom of movement. This issue must be talked about honestly."@en1
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