| Author (Person) | Bower, Helen |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 12.11.02 |
| Publication Date | 12/11/2002 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
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The European Union and Russia have reached an agreement on travel between Russia and its Baltic enclave, Kaliningrad, once Poland and Lithuania join the European Union in 2004, thereby isolating the Russian territory within EU borders. The decision was reached at the EU-Russia Summit held in Brussels on 11 November 2002. Under the agreement, a Facilitated Transit Document (FTD) will be introduced from 1 July 2003, allowing Russians with an internal passport and an FTD to pass through Lithuania. From the start of 2005, Russians will have to present an international passport as well as an FTD to travel across the EU borders into Kaliningrad. In addition to the standard FTD, a Facilitated Rail Travel Document (FRTD) will also be introduced for those Russians who want to make a one-off return trip to Kaliningrad by train. This would be obtainable based on personal data produced at the time of ticket purchase, although, as with the FTD, Lithuania would have the right to refuse travel. The EU has agreed to undertake a review of the operation of the FTD scheme no later than 2005. The idea of a Facilitated Transit Document was discussed by leaders from the EU Member States at the European Council in Brussels at the end of October 2002 following a broad agreement at the General Affairs Council on 22 October 2002. The proposal had been put forward by the European Commission on 18 September 2002 as a further effort to resolve the ongoing problem. The Brussels executive suggested that the FTD should be a secure document that would be issued at low cost by candidate country consulates after examination of lists provided by the Russian authorities. It would allow individuals short periods in which to transit their territory by road or rail. In addition to the introduction of an FTD, the EU and Russia also agreed to investigate the feasibility of a Russian proposal for a high speed non-stop train between Russia and Kaliningrad for which passengers would not require a visa. Whilst a decision on this can not be taken until after Lithuania's accession to the EU, expected in 2004, the EU agreed to a feasibility study to be carried out by independent consultants in 2003 after the European Commission and Lithuania have agreed on the Terms of Reference. The dispute over Kaliningrad has put a strain on relations between the European Union and Russia for more than a year and the decision on Monday comes just a month before the EU is due to complete its accession negotiations with both Poland and Lithuania at the Copenhagen European Council. Despite the solution to that problem, EU-Russia relations remain clouded by the Russia-Chechenya dispute. Although EU leaders voiced their support for Russian President, Vladimir Putin, over the handling of the siege by Chechen rebels at the theatre in Moscow in October 2002 the two sides are diametrically opposed about how to decade long dispute should be resolved. Whilst the EU favours political dialogue, Russia is pressing ahead with a military operation. The EU had hoped to discuss certain issues concerning Chechenya at the summit such as the inability to distribute humanitarian aid and the lack of accommodation for the tens of thousands of displaced Chechen civilians. However, the Danish Presidency was not prepared to discuss these at the expense of an agreement over Kaliningrad, essential for the EU's enlargement project. Even the location of the summit was moved to Brussels after President Putin objected to it !being held in Copenhagen because a Chechen world congress had been held there two weeks previously. Helen Bower The European Union and Russia have reached an agreement on travel between Russia and its Baltic enclave, Kaliningrad, once Poland and Lithuania join the European Union in 2004, thereby isolating the Russian territory within EU borders. |
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| Subject Categories | Internal Markets |
| Countries / Regions | Russia |
