Foreign
JOSEP Borrell, the European Union’s (EU) foreign policy chief on Wednesday urged bickering nations to settle their differences on restricting travel for Russian citizens.
It said Europe must remain united vis-a-vis Moscow six months after the invasion of Ukraine.
Josep Borrell made his warning as foreign ministers of the European Union gathered in Prague for a second day of talks, where they were expected to agree in principle on suspending a visa facilitation agreement with Russia.
According to Borrell, the step would make Russians wait longer, and pay more, for travel visas to EU countries.
However, the 27 member states were divided on whether they should go further and impose a blanket tourism ban, despite repeated calls from Ukraine to make ordinary Russians pay for the invasion.
Some EU states have already restricted entry for Russians. Eastern and Nordic countries are pushing for an outright ban, while Germany and France have warned their peers it would be counter-productive.
Borrell, told reporters in prague that “we will have to reach an agreement and a political decision. We cannot afford to appear disunited in such an important thing.” (Reuters/NAN)
C.E
Tags: European Union’s (EU) Josep Borrell
