MOSCOW, July 3. /TASS/. Moscow’s ultimate goal is to create a visa-free space with the European Union however no talks on that matter are currently underway, Russian Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said on Sunday.
"This task [to achieve a visa-free travel regime with the European Union] is still on the agenda but our dialogue is frozen as of today," he said in interview with Russia’s NTV television channel.
At the same time, he noted that the countries the European Union has promised to cancel entry visas to are highly unlikely to achieve any progress on that matter following Britain’s exit from the European Union and due to many other problems of the European Union. "What do I think about the visa regime? I think that the European Union will be in no hurry in respect of those countries it has undertaken certain liabilities to [concerning visa-free travel - TASS], namely Georgia, Ukraine and Turkey," Chizhov said.
When asked about possible expansion of the European Union after Britain’s departure, the Russian diplomat said he doesn’t think any new members will be admitted to it. "The European Union’s expansion will be out of the agenda in the next few years," he said.