EU delay in lifting visa requirements for Russia politicized – FMOctober 8, 2012 - 21:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Moscow believes that the European Union is delaying signing the visa-free agreement with Russia for political reasons, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday, October 8, according to RIA Novosti. “We are receiving information that the reason is political. There is an opinion that, under the governing principle of solidarity within the EU, it is unacceptable to agree a visa-free regime with Russia before this is granted to Eastern partnership countries,” Lavrov said. Russia's top diplomat said he intends to raise this issue at his meeting with EU member states' foreign ministers in Luxembourg on October 14. “I want to discuss this issue with them and hear some assurances that our suspicions are baseless, and I want to see some steps taken that would dispel our doubts not in words but in reality,” Lavrov said. Last year the Kremlin made visa-free travel between Russia and the EU a foreign policy priority. Russia’s then-President Dmitry Medvedev repeatedly declared the country's readiness to scrap existing visa requirements with the EU. However, the European Union has been deadlocked over this thorny issue amid concerns that a visa-free arrangement could lead to a rise in crime and illegal immigration. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |