The Ambassador of Spain: Madrid showed interest in the facilitation of the visa regime with Russia

Spain is interested in the simplification of the visa regime with Russia and will try to establish cooperation in this matter, said Last news the Ambassador of Spain in the Russian Federation jos? Ignacio Carbajal Garate.

in conversation with the Last news, the Ambassador noted that as long as the flow of tourists from the Russian Federation in the Spanish resorts not much decreased." We are doing everything in their power to try to attract Russian tourists, make special offers and so on. Will try to attract the same number of tourists that was last year, and it's 1, 5 million people. This year we Hope to achieve similar performance, or at least decline to 1, 4 million, " said Garate.

The diplomat said that Spain always been a " locomotive " on simplification of visa regime with Russia. He said that such attempts were made in 2010, he was talking not only about the simplification of the visa process, But also for their abolition.

" they have no sense: often enter this mode when there is a problem of immigration. In Spain itself the problem of immigration is not. But if every year We take one and a half million tourists - it makes no sense to introduce visas. Our Consul General in the Russian capital in the hot season of the past year were given eleven thousand visas per day, for such a volume of work necessary to contain a large staff. While We compete with such visa-free countries, as, For example, Egypt, Thailand. We highly expressed interest in the simplification of the visa regime or even cancel ", - said the Ambassador.

" Unfortunately, due to imposed penalties (between the EU and Russia), We encounter problems When applying our signs to the competent authorities. But try to explain to them that, while continuing to carry out such a policy, we harm only themselves, " He concluded.

in General, the diplomat said that the sanctions regime is harmful to both Europe and Russia and seek to find ways to normalize relations. Garate recalled that in the upcoming March issue of the continuing validity of punishments against the Russian Federation will be discussed in the European Union." I hope that By this time the situation is to improve, and We will be able to cancel the punishment. At least Spain is interested in establishing provisions, " He said.

Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated in connection with the situation in Ukraine. At the end of July, the EU and the US from point penalties against private individuals and organizations turned To measures against entire sectors of the Russian economy. In response, Russia has restricted the import of food items from countries that have introduced in relation to penalties: USA, EU, Canada, Australia and Norway.


sections: Politics