Visa-free regime between Russia, EU is matter of distant future

Moscow hopes to achieve a mutually acceptable decision concerning the introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and the European Union, said Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov at a news conference in Helsinki.

"Acting openly and efficiently we will find a mutually acceptable solution to this complicated issue," he pointed out. "There was no talk of immediately introducing /a visa-free regime/, at present it is necessary to define the outlook for co-operation in this direction," Ivanov believes.

"The issue is complicated, requires thorough work and adoption of important decisions," the Russian minister emphasised. He expressed hope that during future contacts "we soul better understand each other as to the introduction of a visa-free regime".