Visa free travel between the European Union and Russia on the horizon

As Visa free travel is becoming more popular between various countries Russia is joining in by trying to make a deal with the European Union that would grant travel between the two without requiring a visa.

Russia's representative at the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, remarked about the visa free situation that "A dialogue on visa-free travel is in progress.  In the period since agreements have been in place on simplified visa rules and on readmission between Russia and the EU, which came into force on 1 July 2007, readmissions have not become of a mass nature.  Unfortunately, this is not enough for visa-free travel.

Some things that have been suggested to help assist with the visa free process are upgrading current Russian passports.  The new passports would need to be biometric.  It was also noted that border facilities would need to be upgraded to accommodate the visa free travel. 

Chizhov said "In particular, it is important to enhance facilities not only at the borders between Russia and the EU but also other sections of [Russia's] borders.  For example, the border between Russia and Kazakhstan, which is 7,500 km, has been registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest land border. We will also introduce next-generation biometric passports and take some other steps."

Konstantin Kosachev who is the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs predicted that visa free travel been the European Union and Russia would be possible in two to three years.