The Foreign Minister’s answer to a question ragarding visas to Russian nationals travelling to Norway

Question to be answered in writing no 595 (2007–2008)

Question from Member of the Storting Jan-Henrik Fredriksen

The Government sets out in its policy platform that it will strengthen people-to-people cooperation between Norway and Russia. In the debate in the Storting on 6 March 2007, the Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that, under the new visa facilitation agreement, it will be possible to issue more multiple-entry visas to Russian nationals travelling to Norway. What measures has the Minister of Foreign Affairs initiated to ensure progress in the implementation of this arrangement at the Consulates General and the Embassy in Russia?

The Foreign Minister’s answer

I would like to underline that the importance of ratifying the agreements on visa facilitation and readmission has been emphasised to the Russian authorities on several occasions. As Member of the Storting Fredriksen points out, rapid entry into force of the agreements will be important both for people-to-people cooperation with Russia and to ensure common practice within the Schengen area.

The Norwegian Embassy in Moscow is in regular contact with the Russian authorities regarding this matter. The most recent information I have received indicates that both agreements will be ratified during the course of the spring. The time between signing and ratification will thus be similar to what is typically the case for other bilateral agreements.

The two agreements are interdependent, and therefore neither can enter into force until the requirements for entry into force have been fulfilled for both.

The Russian authorities have been formally informed that all requirements for entry into force of both agreements are deemed to have been fulfilled by Norway.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion has, in connection with the preparatory work for the entry into force of the visa agreement, made an ammendment to the Immigration Regulations that will allow for the issuing of mutliple entry visas that are valid for up to five years for certain categories of persons in accordance with specific conditions. The ammended regulations entered into force on 15 January this year.

This means that Norwegian diplomatic and consular missions already have the legal basis to issue multiple-entry visas to applicants who meet the conditions set out in the regulations. The visa agreement will provide for additional flexibility in relation to certain groups.

[Translation from the Norwegian]