Moskou wenst opheffing visa tussen EU en Rusland (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - In an exclusive interview, Vladimir Putin's recently appointed Europe envoy has told the EUobserver that Russia will press for reform of the EU's visa regime later this year.

Sergei Yastrzhembsky, who was appointed envoy for Europe in March, told this news-site that Moscow will press for easier visa arrangements for a host of Russian citizens.

He pointed to three agreements on the table with France, Germany and Italy allowing Russian entrepreneurs, students, old people, artists, scholars and scientists to enter the Union more easily.

"We are talking about five year multiple visas and decreasing the number of documents that have to be completed at the embassies and consulates", he said.

"I think that the logic of our contacts with the EU in this context will be the same _ I think it will be more or less in the same direction as we have already done with France, Italy and Germany".

He hinted that this could be reciprocated by Russia agreeing to a readmission agreement with the Union, allowing the return of certain categories of persons, a long held demand from Brussels.

Although these measures are seen as a stepping-stone to the complete eradication of visas, Mr Yastrzhembsky is cautious on the timetable of introducing such a visa free regime.

"It is a big and common goal".

"They [EU partners] said many times already that it is our common goal to reach this non-visa regime with Europe and Russia".

"I remember how long the process was to create the Schengen zone [the EU's borderless zone]... for sure with Russia it could not be shorter, it could not be quicker, it is impossible".

Summit

Later this week, EU and Russian leaders will meet in Moscow for a meeting that is expected to provide direction to this drive.

It is hoped roadmaps for four `common spaces' will be discussed in the areas of economics, research and education, freedom security and justice, as well as external security.

Mr Yastrzhembsky welcomed the European Commission's proposals in this area, adding that the Russian side would produce its four roadmaps, approved in time for the EU-Russia summit in November.

"It is a huge job and the European Union has really done a very good job presenting its draft, which is several dozens of pages_ Now it is important that our side makes the same job, but very quickly because the next summit is in November".

Kyoto protocol

Mr Yastrzhembsky also said that last week's apparent breakthrough on Russian accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) could pave the way for Russia to implement the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Asked if Russia would sign up to the treaty before the end of this year, Mr Yastrzhembsky was cautious, but hinted that a deal could be done.

"We don't say no", he said before adding that Russia would look for certain measures taken in return.

"It is obvious but we would like to see that our interests are welcomed and satisfied in different spheres... for example the WTO".

Russian ratification of the protocol would bring the treaty into force - a major strategy aim of the EU.

After the United States refused to adopt the protocol, Russian adoption became essential for it to come into force.