Berlin opposes tougher Russian rules for business travel

Nov 5, 2010, 14:31 GMT

Berlin - Berlin promised Friday to oppose tit-for-tat visa restrictions which Russia imposed this week on German travellers.

The European Union denies visa-free entry to Russian nationals, forcing them to apply for visas weeks in advance and to reveal their wealth and income to prove they will not stay in the EU illegally.

On Monday, Russia imposed retaliatory restrictions on business visitors from Germany.

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Berlin would not accept the restrictions lying down and would be seeking an 'agreed solution' in talks with Moscow. She said Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle had discussed the visa dispute when he was in Moscow this week.

Moscow has repeatedly complained to Germany about the EU restrictions, telling Berlin they humiliate ordinary Russians.

Since Monday, German business travellers have been told to disclose their monthly income or provide documentary proof of their ownership of a company if they want to obtain a business visa.

Private German travellers such as tourists must present Russia with their latest bank statements or 'other proof that they have homes they wish to return to.' Russia said these hurdles were the same ones that west-bound Russian travellers faced.

Statistics show more than 500,000 Germans travelled to Russia last year. Analysts forecast the number would not only dive because of the restrictions but Russia would itself suffer, with Westerners unwilling to move to Russia to work.

Westerwelle said that his talks in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had produced agreement on a gradual abolition of all visa restrictions between Russia and Germany, but did not mention any deadline.

Germans maintain their rules are needed because otherwise Russians would arrive as tourists and stay in Germany to work and live.

Read more about Germany Diplomacy

Read more about Russia