Visa Regime for Trips Between EU and Russia May Be Annulled in 3-5 years

The leadership of the European Commission believes that the visa regime for trips between the European Union and Russia will be annulled in three-five years. A high-ranking official from the executive body of the EU told the RIA Novosti correspondent about it on conditions of anonymity. In his opinion, the now existing visa regime for short-term visits is becoming senseless, because too many Russians annually come to Western Europe. So, this regime is really becoming a mere formality, while the number of visits are growing, and the consular services find it more and more difficult to cope with such a great amount of work.

At the same time the official underscored that in order to annul the visa regime both sides have to do a great amount of legislative and organizational work in the sphere of regulation of immigration and control over the border.

On the whole, relations between the European Union and Russia are favorably developing, in his opinion, including the energy dialogue (the Putin-Prodi initiative), which is very important for the European Union.

Both sides understand the problematical character and inexpedience of the formal entry of Russia into the EU. For this reason Brussels offers the following formula to Russia: integration in everything apart from the governing institutions of the Union.