Russian Embassy representative’s comment on a new Russian visa application form for British nationals
Question: Why does the new expanded Russian visa application form have to be introduced for British nationals?
Answer: We confirm that a new Russian visa application form is effective from 17 July 2017 for British nationals. We have to adopt the practices of our British counterparts when it comes to the whole range of questions that visa applicants need to answer. That meets the current security requirements and as well ensures equal rights of both Russian and British nationals in preparing documents for obtaining UK and Russian visas respectively.
Welcome to Moscow. We are greeting you both as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone and as Chairman of the African Union Committee of Ten (C-10) which is engaged in defending Africa’s interests in the reformation process of the UN Security Council.
On August 8−9 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Jakarta for talks with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. The officials will discuss a broad range of issues pertaining to the further development of bilateral political, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, as well as international and regional matters.
On 20 April, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation satisfied a legal claim of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation by enforcing a ban against Jehova’s Witnesses and its subsidiaries in Russia on the grounds of extremist activities under Federal Law “On Counteraction of Extremist Activity” 114-FZ of 25th July 2002. On 17 July 2017, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal against the decision lodged by the Administrative Centre of the Russian branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
On July 19, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as per tradition, met in Moscow with the ambassadors of the EU member countries and the head of the EU delegation to the Russian Federation.
On July 17, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov held consultations in Washington, D.C. with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas A. Shannon on pressing bilateral issues.
The two officials continued to look for ways to resolve pending issues, specifically regarding the illegal seizure of Russian property in the United States by the Barack Obama Administration. Russia stressed that if Washington does not address this and other concerns, including persistent efforts to hinder the operation of Russia’s diplomatic missions, Russia has the right to take retaliatory measures in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
In October 2015, I argued against the leader comments in The Scotsman that “Russian airstrikes in Syria have heightened international tensions to new levels” and calls for “wide international pressure to stop these actions”.
Since then quite a lot has transpired, yet the UK media seems unaware of the fact that the situation in Syria has seen a positive change following the launch of Russia’s military operation. That makes me write again.
The situation in Syria remains tense. We continue to monitor the positive trends that give hope for reversing the Syrian crisis and achieving a lasting political settlement and restoring peace and order throughout the country. Currently, work is underway to improve the mechanisms of functioning and controlling the de-escalation zones designed to reduce the level of violence in Syria, and to improve the humanitarian situation of the affected Syrian population.
As State Secretary Markus Ederer said, there is every reason to say that the bilateral year has been a success. Yet another bright page has been written in the new history of bilateral relations. Hundreds of activities were conducted; the Russian-German youth parliament was at work; scientific workshops, forums and numerous educational, cultural and sporting events took place. I hope the comprehensive programme has given all those present, as well as those who also took part in this year’s activities, the broadest possible opportunities for informal and creative communication, which makes it possible to frankly discuss any issues and state one’s viewpoint.
We believe that the current round of Geneva talks has set off to a better start due to the participation of all the main opposition platforms – the Riyadh, Moscow and Cairo groups. The constitutional reform and the fight against terrorism are priorities, but not forgetting about two other issues (running the country prior to the adoption of a new constitution and holding elections). Eventually the constitution should reflect the concerns of all ethnic, religious and political groups of Syria without exception. This is the only way to ensure the stable functioning of the Syrian state and prevent the spread of terrorist threat. Meanwhile, the current constitution provides for a broad range of opportunities to expand the participation of opposition representatives in running the state. We actively support the efforts of UNSG’s Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to encourage the Syrian parties to engage in a productive conversation on constitutional reforms.
Tweet Follow @russianembassy