Russia will not abolish short-term visas permitting foreign tourists to stay in the country during 72 hours, the Russian Foreign Ministry's deputy spokesman said on Thursday.
The publication by the ministry of draft regulations introducing changes to visa procedures sparked allegations that 72-hour visas, which are granted at the border, may be scrapped.
"Short-term tourist visas for 72-hour trips will continue being granted," Aleksei Sazonov said.
Foreign tourists have been able to get a 72-hour visa while entering Russia since February 2002, as part of a governmental experiment launched in Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad. It is aimed at developing tourism in St. Petersburg, the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions, as well as in the capital, Moscow.
MOSCOW, November 11 (RIA Novosti)
