Visas in Europe
Visas in Europe Keep out Europe’s restrictive visa policies irk some big neighbours Dec 31st 2011 | from the print edition EARLY in December the Russian embassy in London hosted a “visa-free” barbecue to draw attention to the European Union’s visa regime. Russia says the system contradicts the spirit of the 1975 Helsinki declaration, which pledged to make exit and entry easier. An EU/Russia summit a week later returned to the theme. Visa liberalisation is also a priority for Turkey, which has been relaxing the rules for many of its eastern neighbours. Given its economic problems Europe might be expected to solicit visitors. Yet both Britain and the 26-country borderless Schengen area make it difficult for outsiders to obtain visas. Forms are lengthy and complex, costs are high and applications can take months. In this section It’s off to work he goes First we take Sakharov Avenue Helle’s horrid honeymoon Fading charms Watch your words » Keep out Reprints Related topics European...