Russia seeks straightforward UK visa regime
October 30 2009 by Liam Clifford
Russia will ask the UK to reconsider it's UK visa system for Russian visitors.
Russia and the UK are
soon to discuss the possibility of normalising relations in a move that may see
a simpler UK visa system being introduced for Russians.
Russian foreign
minister Sergei Lavrov says he sees no obstacles in normalising relations with
the UK, stating that the country has long been willing to do so: “the same as it
happened with the United States, Russia does not have to take any efforts. We
are always prepared for an equal dialogue and co-operation.”
British
foreign secretary David Milliband is set to visit Moscow in early November in
response to an invitation from Lavrov. The two will discuss simplifying the visa
regime for Russians hoping to obtain a UK visa. This process is currently very
complicated and this has been a bone of contention for Russia for some time. As
a result, Lavrov is keen to simplify this process as part of the moves to
improve the relationship between the Russia and UK immigration.
Lavrov was quick to
point out that Russia never applied tough visa measures for the UK and it is
ready to embark on normal relations. He stated, “Moscow did not suspend
facilitation of the visa regime with London or co-operation between secret
services. We are prepared for a reset.”
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