The Latvian Seimas’ statement on the recognition of Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism” is another manifestation of Russian hostility and a “tuning fork” of Latvian politics. This is stated in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on the website of the department.
“This step of Latvia’s highest legislative body is in great contradiction with existing international law and violates the principle of sovereign equality of states,” said the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Such a “arrogant and self-confident” choice of objectionable countries “is in line with the long-standing path of the common West to change the so-called universal norms and principles of international law. A rules-based order in which Riga is assigned the role of a pawn in the hands of its overseas masters.
On 11 August, the Latvian parliament declared Russia a sponsor of terrorism and urged EU countries to immediately suspend visa issuance to citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus.
The Baltic Republic Seimas claim that the Russian Federation “directly and indirectly supports and finances terrorist regimes and organizations” for many years.
Estonia blocked Schengen
Next week, Estonia will close entry to the country with Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens at Estonian consulates. This was reported by the Delfi portal with reference to the head of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Urmas Reinsalu.
Visas will remain valid, but Russians will not be able to enter Estonia with them.
Exceptions will also be added for diplomats; international carriers; He was allowed to enter for humanitarian reasons and to visit relatives living in Estonia. In addition, “persons with the right of free movement within the European Union” will be able to enter Estonia.
Reinsalu added that many Russian citizens granted visas by Estonia will be banned from entering the country. Experts believe that the ban does not apply to visas issued by other Schengen countries. The Schengen Free Movement Act guarantees free movement for 90 days to every person holding a visa issued by any of the 26 states in the territory of the treaty countries.
“Estonia can only impose restrictions on its own entry documents and has no right to violate the common EU border crossing procedure,” the TourDom.ru portal states.
UN response to Estonia’s exit
UN Secretary-General spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said at a briefing that countries have the right to have their own visa policies.
“Countries have the right to follow their own visa policies,” the representative of the world organization said.
At the same time, answering an illuminating question about whether he sees discrimination in such decisions, Dujarric said the United Nations “is against discrimination”.
However, I will repeat once again that I will not comment on this matter.”
reaction in the European Parliament
Estonian MP Yana Toom said the ban was inappropriate and unreasonable.
“This is an irrational decision because the sanctions regime has goals. The goals are set out in the relevant European and Estonian legislative acts – this is the strengthening of democracy, the restoration of peace, that sort of thing. I do not see how the ban on entry with Estonian Schengen visas will strengthen democracy in the Russian Federation or suddenly return Ukraine to its former borders, this will not happen,” he said.
According to the MEP, such a measure is a political demonstration that does not take into account the lives of real people. As an example, Toom cited the border areas, for example, Pechora in the Pskov region, where many Estonians who want to go to their historical homeland live.
Reaction in the State Duma
Adalbi Shkhagoshev, a member of the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption of the Russian Federation, said that the anti-Russian actions of Estonia and Latvia were implemented by Washington today.
He also suggested that other EU countries would probably not take such steps.
“Washington always implements its anti-Russian projects through the Baltic states, because each member of the EU has its own weight. Estonia no longer lets us in, Latvia accuses us of sponsoring terrorism. The MP said they were “trial countries” for the United States and wanted to see Washington events.
According to him, the possibility that other countries will take similar measures against the Russian Federation has not yet been observed. He added that the “nature of the epidemic” will not be affected by the actions of Estonia and Latvia on EU countries.
“A privilege, not a right”
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated on his Twitter account that the possibility of entering Europe is a privilege, not an unconditional right, and therefore Russian citizens should be banned from entering the EU.
“Stop issuing tourist visas to the Russians. Visiting Europe is a privilege, not a human right. Air traffic from the Russian Federation is closed. Schengen countries issue visas to Russians, while Russia’s neighbors – Latvia, Estonia, Finland (single access point) bear the burden. “Now it’s time to stop tourism from Russia,” he said.
says Callas.
Source: Gazeta
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