The issue of issuing visas to Russians by EU member states should be decided individually during the consideration of each specific request, said the official representative of the European Commission, Anita Hipper.
"Member states must do this, it is within their competence. They must assess each visa application according to the motivation, taking into account political aspects, internal security or international relations," the spokeswoman said on Tuesday at a briefing in Brussels.
"Member states must comply with their international obligations, taking into account humanitarian reasons, visas for family members, journalists and dissidents," the EC representative added.
She was asked to clarify the meaning of the opinion expressed the day before by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, that "banning the entry of all Russian citizens is a bad idea." The head of diplomacy of the European Union proposed to be selective when issuing visas to Russian citizens.
Hipper also reminded that the EC issued recommendations in May on the temporary suspension of the agreement with Russia on the simplification of the visa regime.
Dana Spinant, deputy head of the service of official representatives of the EC, in her turn emphasized that Borrell spoke about the principle of selectivity when issuing visas. According to her, it is precisely about the mentioned Hipper "orders regarding certain categories of persons to whom visas should be issued even in cases of more restrictive policies at the local level." It is to these persons that the term "selectivity" applies.
"I also remind you that there will be a discussion at the level of foreign ministers at the informal meeting of the EU Council - Hymniche - next week. The Member States and the High Representative (Borrell) will discuss different perspectives. As we have repeatedly stated, we need to have a coordinated approach to this special aspect," Spinant emphasized.