18 Apr 2013 12:30

450 million EU citizens will be able to take advantage of visa-free travel to Russia - Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. April 18 (Interfax) - The possible introduction of visa-free travel between Russia and the European Union will benefit the 450-million population of the EU, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Meshkov said.

"The visa-free regime is a two-way street. When we actively promote the idea of visa-free requirements for short trips, we promote the idea that Russia's 150 million citizens and the 450 million citizens of the European Union will be able to take advantage of it. I would ask the EU to bear this in mind at all times," Meshkov said at a State Duma session addressing relations between Russia and the EU on Thursday.