Russian Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, said Swiss authorities canceled the simplified entry procedure for Russian diplomats and introduced stricter rules for obtaining visas. He mentioned this in an interview RIA News.
According to Gatilov, Switzerland has abolished the simplified entry procedure for holders of Russian diplomatic passports, obliging them to obtain visas for short-term trips. Since the autumn of last year, Swiss authorities began demanding personalized invitations for every event organized by international organizations based there. This is a serious limitation because the composition of delegations is usually formed flexibly, personal changes are possible and this now needs to be notified in advance.
The diplomat noted that Switzerland’s new requirements have the most negative impact on the attractiveness and authority of Geneva as a “comfortable platform” used to host international events.
Previously, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova statedHe said Russia would respond immediately if the European Union banned its diplomats from traveling to the Schengen area.
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