Due to a significant increase in the number of flights between Russia and Germany (for example, from November 9, instead of five flights Moscow - Frankfurt am Main, there will be 14 flights - almost three times more; this, of course, not fifty, as in dock times, but after all), the German embassy in Moscow was faced with a natural question.
If traffic grows so much, does this mean that the FRG's visa policy will become more favorable for Russians?
In particular, can we talk about the revival of tourist and private travel?
The embassy replied: “With regard to your question about the resumption of the issuance of all categories of visas for Russian citizens, we inform you that the recommendations adopted by the Council of EU States in connection with the coronavirus pandemic remain in force.
And it is not currently foreseen when we will be able to issue visas again for all purposes of travel. ”
Like a sign on a beer stand in Soviet times: "There is no beer and no one knows when."
And in general, ask the Brussels authorities, but our business is small.
There are no complaints about the embassy, diplomats are generally servile people.
As for the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates, there has been no progress here since the beginning of 2021, when Russia applied for the recognition of Sputnik. Since then, things have been there. There is no outright refusal, but there is no movement either: Sputnik is undergoing a gradual examination procedure at the European Medicines Agency (EMA). With all the characteristic features of the classic fairy tale about the white bull. The EMA makes demands, Russia satisfies them, after which the EMA demands something else (or simply demands the same the second time) - and so on ad infinitum.
In the meantime, there is a process of polite kick-off, citizens of the Russian Federation arriving in Germany are obliged to go to quarantine. Naturally, est modus in rebus, that is, the need for inventions is cunning: all prohibitions and restrictions can be circumvented, but at your own peril and risk. "You can drink, you can't get caught." So the sacred rule of law turns into the fact that the European authorities act as winking swindlers: dare, they say, and if anything, we have nothing to do with it.
Of course, disgusting, but not new at all. The same model was used in negotiations between Moscow and Brussels on mutual visa-free entry. They began back in 2006 under President Putin, continued under President Medvedev, and then again under President Putin, but the process did not get off the ground. Either the Europeans pointed out that first Ukraine and Moldova must be respected, and only then Russia, then Poland demanded more favorable conditions for the supply of meat to the Russian Federation, then claims appeared (they always appear when needed) from the Baltic countries, then Russia had to introduce anthropometric passports (entered - did not help), etc. This is not counting the conflicts with Georgia, and then with Ukraine.
True, then there were times more vegetarian and the problem was solved through informal agreements with individual EU countries on the issuance of multiple (up to three and up to five years) visas.
Moreover, formally, negotiations with Brussels on visa-free travel are still going on - and will probably go to the Arkhangelsk pipe.
Just like negotiations with EMA.
In this case, one detail is observed.
"This is the leg who needs the leg" - and the citizens who are correct from the point of view of the EU calmly travel to Europe.
Airplanes fly (and not empty), and now they will fly even more.
Yes, of course, there are people among the passengers who are not formally affected by visa restrictions (EU citizens, for example), but not all of them are.
The principle "well, how not to please the dear (that is, our, progressive) little man" is also quite valid.
All this resembles the practice of Soviet citizens' trips abroad, only mirrored.
Then, after all, there also existed a category of outgoing and even strongly outgoing, for which the borders did not seem to exist at the castle.
Moreover, these were not only business travelers on a trip abroad, but also simply having a rest and having fun.
The main thing is to get the green light from the authorities.
Now, of course, the instances are a little different.
In those ancient times - the Central Committee of the CPSU and the KGB under the Council of Ministers of the USSR, now - similar institutions, but on the other hand.
But since our Western partners (Brussels, for sure) are quite satisfied with the current order (only our people will travel to Europe, and as for unprincipled tourism, which is losing much in income, we don’t skimp on ideology), it looks like the Brussels fairy tale about the white the bull will be eternal.
Let us recall the American Jackson-Vanik amendment.
Obviously, the EU also decided: “I, Wan, want the same one”.
The point of view of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.