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Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union

Submitted on 2018-12-12 12:17:58

The 14th session of the Joint Committee for management of the Russia – EU Agreement on the Facilitation of the Issuance of Visas

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The 14th session of the Joint Committee for Management of the Russia – EU Agreement on the Facilitation of the Issuance of Visas took place in Moscow on 6 December 2018. Representatives of the Consular Department and the Pan-European Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Permanent Mission of Russia to the European Union participated on the Russian side. The EU delegation included officials from the Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission, European External Action Service, EU Delegation to Russia and observers from a majority of EU member states, as well as Iceland and Switzerland.

During the meeting the parties confirmed the importance of a bona fide implementation of the Agreement on the Facilitation of the Issuance of Visas regardless of current political situation. Participants agreed that the Agreement constitutes a key pillar of the legal framework of Russia – EU relations, providing for a favourable regime of mutual travel by citizens of Russia and EU member states.

An in-depth discussion was held on practical aspects of cooperation in the sphere of visa policy.

It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Committee in Brussels in 2019.