The prohibition for Russian citizens with Schengen visas to cross a part of European Union’s external border will come to force within the next ten days, as reported by Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs.
As previously reported, Baltic States have reached an agreement to severely limit entry for Russian citizens with Schengen visas.
The prohibition will apply to the borders Baltic States share with Russia and Belarus.
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RUSSIAN CITIZENS WHO HAVE SCHENGEN VISAS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CROSS EU’S EXTERNAL BORDER IN BALTIC STATES – BE IT AN AIRPORT, LAND OR SEA BORDER.
The decision was coordinated on the level of Baltic States. Each country’s government will make individual decisions on this topic.
«There will be an order from the Cabinet of Ministers. It will also include exceptions we have agreed upon,» said the minister.
Considering that more information will be reported later, the minister refrained from speaking about details.
«This time it is highly important to list clear guidelines. There will be exceptions, and they will be due to humanitarian considerations. Exceptions will also apply to diplomats,» said Rinkēvičs.
When asked how effective these restrictions will be, considering that other countries of the Schengen Area have not adopted similar restrictions, the minister stressed most Russian citizens use Baltic States, Finland and Poland to cross the border. This decision has a security and a morally political aspect.
inkēvičs said last week the EU decided to cease the fast procedure for the issue of visas for Russian citizens. An agreement was reached to allow countries on EU’s external borders to act in accordance with security considerations.
«THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AND VERY EFFECTIVE STEP.»
«Yes, it will be possible to achieve full effect of restrictions if everyone acts the same way. Regional cooperation is equally effective. It is an effective step from a political and security viewpoint,» said Rinkēvičs.
Lithuanian government’s decision provides for «limiting the movement of Russian citizens over the EU’s external border».
The legislative project mentions that only Russian citizens who meet criteria set by the Lithuanian government will be allowed to cross the border. However, these criteria will need to be developed by Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs after coordinating with other countries in the region.
