Finnish FM reveals plans to greatly reduce issuance of visas to Russians

Finland plans to reduce the possibilities for applying for and obtaining a Schengen visa for Russian citizens, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said on air on Yle on August 16, Report informs referring to Interfax.

The minister said that "about a thousand applications are received daily from Russian citizens to obtain a Finnish visa, and in the future this number can be reduced to 100-200 per day."

He noted that the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing a special model, in which priority will be given to applicants who apply for a visa for family reasons, work or study.

"I think that such a decision would be quite reasonable," he added.

According to Haavisto, it is important to work out a common position at the EU level on the issue of visas for Russian citizens. At the same time, he noted that "Finland can make decisions at the national level" and that its decision will be known in August.