Visa-Free Policy Mirrors Strategic Mutual Trust Between EU And Russia

Currently, the number of travelers between EU and Russia showed the trend of upgrade annually. In the meantime, the economic ties and people-to-people exchange grow increasingly active. However, the visa regime has nevertheless remained in place. As early as2005, visa-free travel was designated a long-term goal. However, the goal has thus far remained long-term, with not even a preliminary timetable being set for further liberalization.In the meantime, the accidental political events, such as Georgia and Ukraine crisis, had a bad impact on strategic reassurance between EU and Russia. Visa relations mirrors the political relations, so under this circumstance, visa-free regime is not just around the corner, the EU and Russia’s list of conflicts would be longer.The statics from EU sta. indicates that Russia and EU are each other’s important trade partners. Especially along with the disaster of world financial crisis, EU paid more attention on Russia’s market. As Russia’s concerned, EU’s advanced management and technology would be a new energy of Russia’s economical development. In the grass-root level, the traveler of two parties showed a upgrade trend annually. EU is the Russian favorite trip destination, and Moscow and St. Petersburg have got more and more EU citizens.If EU and Russia could reach an agreement on visa-free regime, that would save plenty of costs, it would be helpful to diplomacy and economical development of both sides. However, in the high level meetings, including visa dialogue and EU-Russia Summit, EU and Russia had merely achievements. In the process of negotiation, Russia dedicated to persuade EU to agree the visa liberation, take advantage of every useful approaches, for example the winter Olympic, to achieve the goal. But EU has hesitated to make decisions. Firstly, the disagreement among the EU28member states; the disputes between diplomatic department and internal department; all of these disputes hinder the EU’s decision. Secondly, considering the bad effect of visa-free regime, i.e. the illegal migrant, transnational crime, border management, public order and judicial cooperation, EU became more prudent. EU thinks Russia hasn’t make well preparation for visa-free regime.Visa relations mirror the political relations. Regarding the Russia-EU visa relations, there is ostensible distrust on both sides, which has been to the detriment of the image of strategic partnership. In turn, the vulnerable strategic trust between Russia and EU had a negative effect on the EU-Russia visa relations.Besides EU believes Russia would get more benefit from the visa liberation.EU member states are reluctant to open their border to a country which be famous of corruption. The Russian side strongly feels that the European consular departments do not apply the regulations in a uniform manner, making the application procedure extremely complex and putting individuals on an unequal footing. The complaints on the European side relate mainly to the persistent question of the registration requirements demanded by Russian officials, as well as corruption in the country.This article focuses on the Visa-free between EU and Russia, including the interaction and practice on visa relations between Russia and European states, the strategic partnership’s impact on the visa regime.