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A coalition of 11 European countries is calling for tighter rules on issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, as the war in Ukraine continues and the summer holiday season approaches.
The initiative is led by Sweden and supported by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, as well as Iceland and Norway. The countries have addressed a joint letter to the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, and the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner.
Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum, Johan Forssell, said the aim of the initiative is to limit Russian tourist travel to the European Union.
"What I want to achieve is very clear. I want no more shopping weekends. I don't want any more expensive trips to Europe while Ukrainians die on the battlefield," he declared before a meeting of justice and home affairs ministers in Luxembourg.
In the letter, the signatory countries argue that the different application of visa rules by member states is creating inequalities and weakening the European Union's common stance towards Russia.
"The uneven implementation of these guidelines across all member states leaves much to be desired, as it lacks both solidarity and sustainability. It also risks placing member states in unequal economic positions," the document states.
According to the signatories, the different visa issuing practices could also create security risks for the Schengen area. For this reason, they call for the introduction of new binding restrictions, stronger monitoring of the implementation of existing rules and the creation of a mechanism for identifying former Russian servicemen.
The issue was discussed during Thursday's ministerial meeting in Luxembourg, although it was not officially part of the agenda. No decision has been taken so far, but the initiators are asking the European institutions to present concrete proposals for continuing the debate.
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