It will be both about changing the Schengen Code, which does not allow a complete cessation of the issuance of Schengen visas on a national basis, and about possible concerted actions of the EU countries within the framework of their national competencies, a diplomatic source in Brussels explained.
A diplomatic source in Brussels told TASS that the EU Foreign Ministers will discuss on August 31 at an informal meeting in Prague the possibility of changing the Schengen visa code to reduce the issuance of visas to all Russian citizens, with the exception of certain categories, there is no talk of their complete abolition.
“The issue of the possibility of an organized joint significant reduction by all EU countries of the number of Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens will be introduced by a number of states, in particular, Estonia and Finland at the upcoming “hymnich” (an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers). We will talk about both changing the Schengen Code, which does not allow a complete cessation of the issuance of Schengen visas on a national basis, and possible concerted actions of the EU countries within the framework of their current national competencies,” the diplomat explained.
“At the first stage, the creation of a voluntary system to reduce by several times the number of tourist visas issued to Russian citizens every day will be considered. Those EU states that are already ready for this step will be able to immediately join this scheme. Such a system will allow working out the optimal forms of visa restrictions, which other EU countries will later be able to join,” he said.
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