Consultations between Russia and European Union on questions of transit to Kaliningrad region

The first consultations between Russia and the European Union on the questions of transit to the Kaliningrad Region (a Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea) from and to the main part of Russia will be held in Brussels on July 23rd, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Igor Ivanov said at a news conference in New York on Tuesday.

According to him, the sides' stands "have been stated, and now it is too early to speak of any compromises".

The point is that Russia is insisting on visa-free transit, whereas the European Union states that it is ready to make concessions but not to abolish European visas for Russian citizens going to the Kaliningrad Region and back.

"A compromise is needed and possible but it should not be discriminatory against Russian citizens", Ivanov stated.

"We are intent on holding a constructive dialogue with the European Union," he said.