15 Oct 2013 18:25

EU links visa regime loosening for Russians to trade, human rights - minister

BRUSSELS. Oct 15 (Interfax) - Trade and human rights issues are among the main obstacles for a more lose visa regime between Russia and the European Union, according to Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders.

"Political will is needed, but all this will depend on how we move forward in reforming our commercial relations, what work we do on human rights issues," Reynders told a news conference after talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

Reynders said some technical improvements had, however, been made to the Russia-EU visa regime.