Russia and Germany may set an example for the EU on the issue of the simplification of visa formalities, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
"The Russian approach to this issue is well known," Putin said at a joint news-conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "We stand for the maximum simplification of visa procedures in our relationship and have repeatedly announced our readiness for a visa-free regime," he continued.
Putin called on the European Union (EU) to determine bilateral visa scrapping terms and a schedule in an interview with Germany's Suddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday.
The Kremlin has made visa-free travel between Russia and the EU a foreign policy priority.
The premier also said earlier in the day that Russia would soon simplify the procedure for foreigners to buy shares in strategic sectors of economy,
Russia and the European Union must strengthen their ties in order to stay competitive in today's world, he added.
BERLIN, November 26 (RIA Novosti)
