What is really so unique about Moscow , Red Square and a few other buildings but most of it no different to any other big city in Europe, the people arn't exactly reflective of real Russians from the rest of country and most people in Russia will tell you this, Moscow is of course unique in Russia !! But its too late for foreign influence, its every where you look, the cars, the clothes and fashions, the bars, the shops, the foreign people, its no longer in a time warp you have to leave Moscow for that and get out into the regions and countryside, i guess this is true of nearly every capital in the World, but i agree its important to try and keep some form of identity and certainly culture, but in reality peoples need to live and earn money and that comes before and at the expense of culture, most Russians now just want money, just want everything as it is in the west, i see Russia changing fast, every few months i go i see changes, more new cars, more new houses and shops, it is certainly developing even in the smaller towns. I don't see how the powers that be can prevent these changes, they can maybe slow them down but sooner or later European Russia will be just like most other countrys.

Russia and Greece on Tuesday signed a protocol to the EU-Russia Readmission Agreement, a key step in the establishment of a visa free regime between the EU and Russia.

It was signed by Russian Federal Migration Service head Konstantin Romodanovsky and Greek Public Order and Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Dendias.

Under the Readmission Agreement, signed in 2007, Russia will readmit, upon application by a European Union (EU) country, “any person not, or no longer, fulfilling the conditions in force for entry or residence, provided that it is established that the person concerned is a Russian national.”

Portugal is now the only EU country Russia has yet to sign the readmission protocol with.
The EU countries are under the same obligation.

Dendias, on a two-day visit to Moscow that started Monday, met earlier with Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev to discuss cooperation in the struggle against organized crime.

Later on Tuesday, the Greek minister will hold negotiations with Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov to discuss topics that “are of mutual interest,” the ministry said.

MOSCOW, December 18 (RIA Novosti)

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday accused the European Union of employing a double standard when it agreed to allow nondiplomatic Ukrainian officials to enter member states without a visa. “A Ukrainian bureaucrat is no different from a Russian one,” he told students at Moscow’s Diplomatic Academy.

Russian and Ukrainian diplomats are permitted to enter the EU without a visa. But while Ukrainian service passport bearers, which can be rank-and-file ministerial officials, are also allowed visa-free entry, their Russian counterparts aren’t. Russia will not tolerate this “discriminatory approach,” Lavrov told the assembly.

The same day, the EU presented Georgia with a set of benchmarks to meet in order to establish a visa-free regime. Last week, Lavrov and his EU counterpart, Catherine Ashton, recognized that such a regime between Russia and the EU would not be possible before the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

“The EU approaches countries on a case-by-case basis and does not compare them,” EU delegation spokesman Soren Liborius (right) told The Moscow Times on Monday. Ukraine’s case is different because it unilaterally lifted visa requirements for all citizens of the EU.

According to Liborius, the service passport issue is “the only obstacle” that prevents Russia and the EU from concluding an amended visa facilitation agreement and will be even “broader than the one that was signed with Ukraine, as it includes more categories of people.”

Ukraine concluded an amended visa facilitation agreement with the EU in July 2012, which introduced enhanced visa-obtaining procedures for such categories as journalists and representatives of civil society organizations, among others.

Unlike Russia, Ukraine is a member of the Eastern Partnership with the EU, which is meant to institutionalize Europe’s relations with several Eastern European countries, including Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia.

Negotiations on visa facilitation are separate from talks on abolishing visas altogether, but both Russia and the EU see the former as a way to bolster the latter’s process. The EU and Russia are currently implementing the “common steps toward visa-free short-term travel” program, which will provide the sides with the necessary environment to start negotiations on abolishing visas altogether.

In September 2012, a Russia-U.S. visa facilitation agreement came into force allowing both Russians and Americans to obtain three-year multiple-entry visas. Unlike with the EU, Russia has not insisted on waiving visas for its government officials while negotiating with the U.S.

On March 21, about 15 members of the European Commission headed by President Jose Manuel Barroso are scheduled to visit Moscow to conduct comprehensive negotiations on a wide array of issues. According to Liborius, there is a “great chance” that the visa facilitation agreement will be one of them.



By Ivan Nechepurenko - 25 Feb 2013 - The Moscow Times

GENERAL FRAMEWORK

The European Union and the Russian Federation reiterate their international commitments related to the movement of and people-to-people contacts among their citizens, while considering possibilities for the reciprocal abolition of visas on the basis of a relevant agreement. Such a Russia-EU visa waiver agreement will be limited to holders of biometric passports issued in accordance with ICAO standards.

The EU and Russia pursue a common goal towards visa free short-term travel of their citizens. The EU and Russia agreed to "examine the conditions for visa-free travel as a long term perspective" at the EU-Russia Summit in May 2003 and to "continue and intensify the visa dialogue at expert and political level" in the Road Map for the Common Space of Freedom, Security and Justice adopted in May 2005. In 2006 they concluded a visa facilitation agreement and are currently working on amendments to further ease visa procedures. In 2010 Russia produced a draft agreement on waiver of visa requirements for Russian and EU citizens.

The EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council (PPC) on Freedom, Security and Justice in April 2007 agreed on the procedure (Terms of Reference) for the visa dialogue, which was endorsed by the EU-Russia Summit in May 2007. Accordingly, this dialogue is led within four blocks/areas (1. document security, including biometrics; 2. illegal migration, including readmission; 3. public order and security; 4. external relations).

The first stage of the dialogue focused on the mutual exchange of information on the respective state of play of both parties in all the relevant policy areas under all 4 blocks. To this end, expert meetings were convened for each block: a first round was held between December 2007 and June 2009; a second round of expert meetings took place in March 2010. The experts reported to Senior Officials overseeing the dialogue.

The end of the exploratory phase of the dialogue was marked by the 26-27 May 2010 PPC on Freedom, Security and Justice where both sides tasked the Senior Officials to convene to discuss how to move to a practical phase of the dialogue and to report back to the next PPC.

Thereafter, a common methodology for the practical phase of the dialogue was agreed by the Senior Officials (24 September and 18 November 2010) and endorsed by the PPC on Freedom, Security and Justice on 18-19 November 2010. That methodology consists of joint elaboration of an exhaustive list of common steps to be agreed by the Parties and implemented by the EU and its Member States and the Russian Federation.

The present document specifies the list of common steps and operational measures jointly elaborated and adopted by both Parties on 15 December 2011 in Brussels, to be implemented by both Parties before moving to the next phase.

In case of substantial change of the current situation, Russia or EU could propose a review and adaptation of the Common steps and operational measures, which would need to be mutually agreed.

The Parties agreed that EU and its Member States on the one side, and Russia on the other side, acting on an equal footing and within their respective competences, shall implement the following:

Block 1: Document security, including biometrics

• Introduce ICAO-compliant biometric passports on the basis of a comprehensive and secure identity management, taking into account work carried out in the ICAO framework and adequate protection of personal data and ensure their authenticity, facilitate accurate verification of identity of their holders by relevant authorities of both Parties.
  
  
• Ensure prompt and systematic reporting to the Interpol database on lost and stolen passports.
  
  
• Maintain regular exchange of passport specimens and visa forms, information on false documents and cooperation on document security.
  
  
• Conduct training programs on the methods of the document protection, on the basis of ICAO standards, inter alia on introduction of biometric parameters, as well as exchange of information on the methods and respective possible scientific researches in the field.

Operational measures.

• Undertake and if necessary improve anti-corruption measures, including ethical norms, targeting officials of any public authority that deals with comprehensive and secure identity management.

Block 2: Illegal migration, including readmission

2.1. Migration issues

• Conclude between Russia and all the relevant EU Member States the implementing protocols to the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the European Community on Readmission of 25 May 2006, while ensuring effective implementation of this Agreement.
  
  
• Effectively implement the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the European Community on the Facilitation of the Issuance of Visas to the Citizens of the Russian Federation and the European Union of 25 May 2006.
  
  
• Amend the above mentioned visa facilitation agreement in order to further simplify visa requirements for the short-term travels.
  
  
• Work to ensure facilitation, further simplification and transparent application of the respective rules on registration/listing of citizens legally staying on the other Party's territory, on issuance of permits to legally stay/reside and exercise labour activity, aiming to reduce in practice the length of administrative procedures and burden for citizens; and regularly exchange information on respective visa policies.

Operational measures

• Exchange information, including within the Russia-EU Dialogue on Migration, on a legal framework, as well as on administrative structures, including their respective competences and working methods, and on infrastructure (including detention centres) for effective general migration management, in particular for effective elaboration of methodology on inland detection and expulsion of illegal migrants, as well as the current flows, statistics and risk analysis of illegal migration and closely cooperate in the fight against crimes, connected to the illegal migration, and addressing possible deficiencies.

2.2. Asylum issues

• Establish clear and transparent asylum procedures effectively accessible for persons seeking asylum.
  
  
• Closely cooperate, within the Russia-EU Dialogue on Migration, on the asylum related issues.
  
  
• Ensure proper status, including rights and duties, for persons recognized to be in need of international protection in accordance with the Parties’ obligations under international law, including under the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees and the 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees. Operational measures
  
  
• Exchange information on respective administrative structures competent for treatment of asylum cases, including on reception facilities for asylum seekers, and addressing possible deficiencies.
  
  
• Develop a comprehensive exchange of information on their respective policies towards integration and adaptation of recognized refugees and persons granted international protection, and addressing possible deficiencies.

2.3. Border management issues

• Optimise the appropriate working mechanism for closer cooperation and more intensive contacts and information exchange between the Russian and EU Member States’ border services, in particular at state border crossing points and effectively implement the working arrangement between the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the EU ("FRONTEX") and the Border Guards Service of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation.
  
  
• Undertake necessary steps in order to develop cooperation between the Federal Agency for the Development of the State Border Facilities of the Russian Federation (Rosgranitsa) and the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the EU ("FRONTEX").
  
  
• Deploy appropriate staff, resources, technical equipment and infrastructure at the relevant parts of the state border, as well as effectively implement border control procedures and best practices at their common state border crossing points to ensure secure environment for the movement across the borders between the EU and the Russian Federation, while fighting cross-border crime, improve efficiency of controls of that movement and make common border crossing less strenuous and reduce the waiting time Operational measures
  
  
• Exchange information on their appropriate border-related administrative structures, maintain cooperation between their border services, law enforcement and other competent agencies and address possible deficiencies.
  
  
• Develop a data gathering and analysing system allowing to carry out regular risk analysis for border management.
  
  
• Pursue set of measures for prevention and suppression of the document fraud and their use for the border crossing, inter alia by training of law-enforcement, border and customs agencies staff.
  
  
• Conduct training programmes and implement anti-corruption measures, including ethical norms, specifically targeting officials of state border-related structures, and addressing possible deficiencies.

FINAL PROVISIONS

These Common Steps and operational measures are implemented in parallel way and on the basis of equality by relevant authorities of the EU and its Member States and Russia, taking into account the current state of their implementation. They, as well as the visa dialogue, are carried out on the EU side in accordance with the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and on the Russian side in accordance with the national legislation.

The progress of implementation is assessed on a regular basis by the Senior Officials and reported to the PPC on Freedom, Security and Justice and reviewed at the Russia-EU Summits. Once the implementation of the "Common Steps towards Visa Free Short Term Travel of Russian and EU Citizens" is completed, the Parties will decide, in accordance with their respective internal procedures, on starting negotiations on an EU-Russia visa waiver agreement.

While considering the implementation of the Common Steps and operational measures as a self-standing and reciprocal process, Russia and EU will continue to focus on an effective implementation of the Russia-EU visa facilitation and readmission agreements, considering them as important factors for the overall assessment of the Russia-EU visa dialogue.

The links among the evolution of migratory flows and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the respect of rule of law shall also be taken into account.

The evolution and assessment of the following issues will be also taken into account:

• Rate of visa applications refusals;
  
  
• Rate of readmission applications accepted and effective returns under the Russia –EU readmission agreement;
  
  
• Number of return decisions with regard to citizens of the Parties, illegally staying or residing on the territory of the other Party;
  
  
• Number of refused entries at the border;
  
  
• Number of apprehended citizens of the Parties, illegally staying or residing on the territory of the other Party;
  
  
• Border crossing time between EU Member States and Russia.

from news, 18-12-13:


so, sorry. It seems Pussy Riot and Greenpeace has messed it all up.

Hi Viking

I don't think it's the Pussy riot or Greenpeace but some other geopolitical game, and EU is acting on behalf of USA other wise, Obama will not give them any more Dollars to support the EUROZONE banks.

The ECB is not allowed to print any more EURO to offer liquidity to the Eurozone banks, because of the Euro rules and the Lisbon treaty .... THE USA of course can print Dollars so .... Sofar USA has given 1.6 billion Dollars to the ECB, which in turn exchange them with EURO in the open market, so they have money to cover the banks in the Erozone and keep the EURO exchange rate high. On the other hand the USA keeps the Dollar low and steady because the markets absorb the dollar without putting inflationary pressure to the American economy.

It appears that the USA is applying pressure against Russia via the EU because of the Syria game, in which Putin won the last round making Obama look like he is not a strong president. Meanwhile the USA is fuelling the demonstrations in Kiev, paying the western Ukrainians $200, according to reports on many newpapers.

Russia on the other hand they are sending the air carrier Kouznetov to the East Mediterranean and few more ships trying to exert their influence, because they have only one base in Syria and now have signed an agreement with Cyprus to allow them to use their airport and port facilities.

Russia with the Shochi winter Olympics are under a huge pressure to allow visitors in without any visa but at the same time they blame the EU..... and so on and on.

My view is that Putin, having spend Billions for the Sochi Olympics, is going to give in and allow travelling there without Visa, during the games.

He wants the glory and the money.....

President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is considering to expand the practice of visa-free group exchange, for example for BRICS countries.

President Vladimir Putin called on Monday for visa-free travel for tourists from India and South Africa, in a move to boost Russia's ailing tourist industry which has been hit by the falling ruble and foreign travel restrictions for Russian officials.

“In order to attract foreign tourists we may provide further simplification of visa formalities, for example, to expand the practice of visa-free exchanges for tourist groups. It may be applied to all BRICS countries," Putin said at a session of the State Council Presidium in Crimea, dedicated to the development of the tourism sector in Russia, according to news agency TASS.

The BRICS are a group of major developing nations comprising China, Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa.

Chinese tourist groups can already come to Russia without visas. Almost 410,000 Chinese tourists visited Russia last year, according to data from Russia's Federal Tourist Agency Rostourism.

Visa requirements between Russia and Brazil were abolished in 2010.

Putin noted that the introduction of visa-free travel with Israel in 2010 more than doubled the number of tourists from the country, TASS reported.

As a result of the abolition of visa requirements with Turkey and South Korea, the tourist inflow from these countries increased by 41 and 40 percent respectively, Putin said.

Tourism should bring significant revenues to the Russian budget and become a catalyst for the development of Russian regions, Putin said, according to news agency RIA Novosti.

In the first three months of this year the number of international tourists visiting Russia increased by 16 percent compared to the same period last year and reached 7.3 million, according to Rostourism, citing data from state statistics service Rosstat.

Meanwhile, outbound tourism in Russia is in decline due to the sharp rouble devaluation and falling real incomes.

In the first three months of this year the number of Russian tourists going abroad fell by 40 percent compared to the same period last year, Rostourism reported, citing Rosstat.



source: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150817/1025832604.html