Italy prepared to simplify visa regime for Russian students

Italy is prepared to simplify its visa regime for Russian students, according to the Northwest Federal District (SZFO) Plenipotentiary's press service. SZFO Plenipotentiary Ilya Klebanov and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini discussed the issue recently in Saint Petersburg. Both parties agreed that it was important to facilitate contacts between youth and students in tourism and education. 'The question was discussed yesterday in the Kremlin in a conversation with the Russian president and we have reached an agreement on measures to simplify the visa regime,' said Frattini. Klebanov proposed realizing the agreement first in Saint Petersburg and Northwest Russia. Klebanov and Frattini also expressed an interest in promoting the study of Italian in learning institutions throughout Northwest Russia.