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Finland & Estonia lobby for tourism sanctions against Russia

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has called for an EU-wide decision on limiting entry into the Schengen countries by Russian tourists. She commented for the first time on the issue, which has been much discussed in recent weeks in Finland.

“It’s not right that at the same time as Russia is waging an aggressive, brutal war of aggression in Europe, Russians can live a normal life, travel in Europe, be tourists. It’s not right,” Sanna Marin told Finish public broadcaster Yle.

Russian tourism continues

The Finnish-Russian border opened to tourism in July after both countries lifted COVID-19 restrictions. Marin said she hopes that EU countries would decide on the issue together, as it is possible to cross the Finnish border with a visa from any Schengen country.

So far, sanctions have not been extended to cover tourism. In the Finnish PM’s opinion, the discussion should be continued in the European Council. “I believe that in future European Council meetings, this issue will come up even more strongly. My personal position is that tourism should be restricted,” she said.

According to Sanna Marin, there is an ongoing discussion of the issue within the cabinet, as well as studies clarifying the legal basis for restricting entry.

Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto suggested that in the meantime, Finland can intervene in the situation itself by making it more difficult to obtain tourist visas. In his view, Schengen rules would allow Finnish officials to prioritise family, study or work visas ahead of tourist visas for the time being.

Other EU states in favour of ban

Stop issuing tourist visas to Russians,” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas wrote on social media. “Time to end tourism from Russia now,” she added.

Stop issuing tourist visas to Russians. Visiting #Europe is a privilege, not a human right. Air travel from RU is shut down. It means while Schengen countries issue visas, neighbours to Russia carry the burden (FI, EE, LV – sole access points). Time to end tourism from Russia now

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) August 9, 2022

Last month Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, also in favour of a ban, told POLITICO in an interview that “EU countries should restrict issuing visas for Russians, with an exemption for humanitarian reasons”.

The 26 Schengen countries include 22 EU states as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Travelling through countries inside the border-free Schengen area is fairly easy, guaranteeing free movement for all people legally staying in the area.

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