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No visa agreements to be signed at Russia-EU summit

Head of European Union's delegation in Russia Vygaudas Usackas: "European Union approaches this issue with utmost seriousness; we are currently halfway there"

MOSCOW, January 24. /ITAR-TASS/. Head of European Union's delegation in Russia Vygaudas Usackas announced that there will be no documents relating to visa regime between Russia and the EU signed during the January 28 Russia-EU summit. “An open strategic dialogue on our relations as a whole will be the focal point. Visa free regime for EU citizens and Russia is our priority, and the European Union approaches this issue with utmost seriousness. We are currently halfway there,” the diplomat said.

Usackas reminded of the report he presented on behalf of the European Commission last December, which outlined progress of the roadmap for introducing a visa-free regime with Russia. “The report has over 40 recommendations which have to be implemented in order to move forward,” he explained and added: “Meanwhile, the European Union continues working over a renewed agreement to simplify the procedure for attaining a visa.”