Cyprus to Keep Promoting Idea of Visa-Free Regime Between Russia, EU – Envoy

Cyprus favors the idea of abolishing visa regime between Russia and the European Union and will advocate the idea in all the institutions of the European Union, Cypriot Ambassador to Russia Georgios Kasoulides said in a statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the ambassador, the so-called pro-visa, which provides a simplified procedure for Russian tourists to enter the territory of Cyprus, has been implemented because the issue of visa-free regime between Russia and the European Union has not been progressing.

"Cyprus supported, supports and will support the idea of abolishing visas between Russia and the European Union… We see that it is extremely important for both sides," Kasoulides told journalists.

"You know that the decisions should be made by all the members of the European Union, and the current conditions do not allow it, but Cyprus will raise this matter at every opportunity," Kasoulides added.

Russia submitted a draft deal on simplifying the visa regime to the European Union at a Russia-EU summit in 2010. In July, Russia's Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said that negotiations on the matter of visa-free regime between Russia and the bloc were frozen.