“Russia to consider scrapping visa regime”

Luigi

I'm Serbian and I agree with you. Serbia's future should be out of the EU.

The problem is the EU wants us to join and keeps offering us carrots! Can you tell them to stop and move away?

Excellent move by Serbia to remove the visa requirement, and it should soon be reciprocated. This will enhance travel and business between the two countries.

These two days all Russian mass media pay much attention to the mentioned friendly act of the Serbs. All the reports are positive.

Sure it is very wise of Serbia to abolish the visas. It won't take Russia long to do the same. By the way the Serbs should not think that our Kosovo activity is lowering. We really have a lot of things to do inside the country. And besides if you start to grow a beard you for some time look unshaved.

Reviving it's reputation Russia is strongly motivated to have some positive results in Kosovo to say nothing that all nations of Russia are eager to provide real help for the Serbs.

All these years the West was unjust and hostile both to Serbia and Russia causing disaster and collapse. Now we have a chance to put an end to it though it will take some time .

"… In EU we have other values we are different so let us in peace…."

So Luigi, you have other values? Please, tell us more? Wouldn't you agree that this move is in perfect harmony with highest proclaimed ideals of "International Community" about free, open societies, freedom of movement of people, ideas, trade, e.c.t. If these proclaimed western values of freedom are dear to your hart, you should congratulate Serbian Government.

Luigi, Luigi, you live in the EU? I don't think so. The last time I checked, Albania still wasn’t a member.

Anyway, for Serbia to actually want to join, instead of being begged and cajoled, the EU would need to undergo radical reforms.

Why would anyone want to join an organisation where all member states are equal but some are more equal than others, where people are denied the right to vote, where respect for international law is selective? The EU is a sad mish-mash of all of the failed political systems of the last century.
We’re so sorry but the EU ‘club’ doesn’t meet our standards. Besides, it’s become a gang not a club and we’re just not into the whole ‘gang’ experience.

Luigi, let's summarize some of these European "values", shall we?

1) Exploit the resources, people and markets of the weaker members (most of the recent Eastern European nations)
2) Extort those countries that yearn for admittance (Croatia with their fishing zones)
3) Embezzle the property of nations that seek to join(Serbia's Kosovo province)

If you're proud of these "values". . .then we Serbs do NOT want to have anything to do with you!

The E.U. is nothing more than a pyramid scheme designed to enrich the original colonial architects (Germany, UK, France and Italy) at the expense of the new members by exploiting their resources and seeking tariff-free entry into their markets.

That visa regime was one of the most bonehead visa regime I ever seen. Originally signed by SFRJ and CCCP, most post-SFRJ and post-CCCP countries inherited it. Judge by yourself:

- For offcial, diplomatic passports and regular passports with "on business" stamp: no visa

- Regular citizens need either a visa (= rubber stamp) or an invitation (pain in the rear) or a "vaucher". Several companies in Serbia (also: Macedonia and most importantly Croatia) and of course Russia are busy issuing basically fake hotel "vauchers". The traveler pays $20-$30, gets a silly vaucher and end of story. Now, not everyone can create such vaucher, only companies with good relation with Serbian, Croatian, Russian, Macedonian government (khmm..., khmmm...).

I was told, the Serbian visa was actually one of the easiest to get - but it did seriously hit the people living in the province. The current situation is, the long distance flights/trains cost actually less from Ural region to Crna Gora than to Krim. With one visa less, this is very welcome situation.

As for Croatia and Macedonia: they still continue the silly vaucher practice, even for Russians who are aboard the Budapest-Venice transit train and have multiple Schengen visa.

Montenegro dis abolish the visa regime, but it was one-sided. Time for Russians to look and kill their part of visa regime.

I understand the visa regime with Zimbabwe or Burkina Faso to some degree, but in that case it never had any sense.

FYI: Israel made the same move like Serbia - now there is no visa regime between Russia and Israel. Currently Russia is negotiating with EU about the same; no idea, how long it would take tough.

This is a very good news for Kosovo economy - if they can exploit it. Who has business sense can think, how to organize pilgrim tours to Decani, Pec, Gracanica and make some money. Because Russian tourists burn more money than Americans and somehow are more interested in Orthodox heritage.

To everyone who left negative comment or jeering: only who lives on the top of a tree and feeds on banana can't understand the benefits. B92, can you please moderate the unprofessional comments from losers out? They remind me of Cato the Elder's famous "Delenda est Carthago" speech on every occasion. This is now not Albania, not Kosovo and not 1244, just end of a stupid, outdated and corrupt visa regime inherited from spooky times of Socialism. One more evil is dead, be happy, it benefits everyone - end of story. Hope, Croatia and Macedonia will follow.

"Dear Nemanjia..
For values i was not thinking at economic ones but at cultural heritage..
Anyway for my point of views:
1) All the eastern countries have received billions of our money in direct and indirect investments
2) Millions of work places have gone from western europe to eastern
3)Croazia i hope will never be part of Eu and they can keep their fischery zone..
3)Serbia hopefully will go east...
(Luigi, 8 March 2008 08:25) "

So Luigi, out of curiosity, would you also advocate that both Tirana and Pristina be blocked from EU membership too? Because I can tell you Kosovo would need billions upon billions of EU aid before it is ready to join.

As it stands, Serbia has no choice but to become part of the Russian Federation.
Bmrusia,Princip, Cvele and Jovan will be happy and that is all about))

This is GREAT news for the Serbian nation. Serbia is close to signing a visa arrangement with the EU and this would bring great balance to the Serbian economy and culture. Strong exposure to both East and West will benefit in a substantial way.

I reject isolationists who claim Serbia must choose between the two. We can, and will have them both.

Serbia must hold off on joining the EU until Russia herself joins and brings balance and a more diverse voice to the EU as a whole. Currently the EU is dominated by the BIG 3 in Western Europe. There needs to be a counter-balance to that block. Russia will make the EU a stronger more successful and more viable and far more powerful country.

Serbia is positioned perfectly to compliment this transition.

I hope Serbia will never join EU and instead become a new "oblast" of Russia..Please don't sign any treaties go with Dima & Valia . In EU we have other values we are different so let us in peace..

I dont understand how Kostunica and the radikals think they can get Kosovo back. Milosevices isolationist policy actually shrunk the areas where serbs live. A few more years of underdevelopment and tiny montenegro will overtake its GDP. The growth rate was just starting to bring in results. - regular wages,strong dinar, raising stock market -but now all this.

Eurosceptics
I live in EU..and i remember how everything functioned well when we were yust 12 countries...
Anyway it's right that every countries has his own history and traditions and western europe differ from yours ..i'm not saying which is better i only say that we are different..

I'm sure that if they ask to the people via referendum which countries must be in EU ..the majority will suggest only half maybe of the actually 27 !! and for sure nothing new !! But bankers and industrialists pay politicians in the west for their expansion ideas that is the problem ....

People in Eu don't want you ..Only politicians ,bankers and industrialists have certain ideas...Same meaninig for Moldavia -Ukraina- and others...

This is the best news that any non-Serb in the Balkans has received in a long time.

Dear Nemanjia..
For values i was not thinking at economic ones but at cultural heritage..
Anyway for my point of views:
1) All the eastern countries have received billions of our money in direct and indirect investments
2) Millions of work places have gone from western europe to eastern
3)Croazia i hope will never be part of Eu and they can keep their fischery zone..
3)Serbia hopefully will go east...

The problem is the EU wants us to join and keeps offering us carrots! Can you tell them to stop and move away?
(ZK UK, 7 March 2008 17:43)

you funny comments always make me laugh. it looks like you are already kidnapped by the cruel EU ghost-carot. or did you sign a private SAA?

sorry for beig ironic - but what you are doing - is rather cynic than funny. you are benefiting by living inside the EU - but you oppose it. why are you there?

I hope Serbia will never join EU and instead become a new "oblast" of Russia..Please don't sign any treaties go with Dima & Valia . In EU we have other values we are different so let us in peace..

I dont understand how Kostunica and the radikals think they can get Kosovo back. Milosevices isolationist policy actually shrunk the areas where serbs live. A few more years of underdevelopment and tiny montenegro will overtake its GDP. The growth rate was just starting to bring in results. - regular wages,strong dinar, raising stock market -but now all this.

I'm sure that if they ask to the people via referendum which countries must be in EU ..the majority will suggest only half maybe of the actually 27 !! and for sure nothing new !! But bankers and industrialists pay politicians in the west for their expansion ideas that is the problem ....

Eurosceptics
I live in EU..and i remember how everything functioned well when we were yust 12 countries...
Anyway it's right that every countries has his own history and traditions and western europe differ from yours ..i'm not saying which is better i only say that we are different..

People in Eu don't want you ..Only politicians ,bankers and industrialists have certain ideas...Same meaninig for Moldavia -Ukraina- and others...

As it stands, Serbia has no choice but to become part of the Russian Federation.
Bmrusia,Princip, Cvele and Jovan will be happy and that is all about))

That visa regime was one of the most bonehead visa regime I ever seen. Originally signed by SFRJ and CCCP, most post-SFRJ and post-CCCP countries inherited it. Judge by yourself:

- For offcial, diplomatic passports and regular passports with "on business" stamp: no visa

- Regular citizens need either a visa (= rubber stamp) or an invitation (pain in the rear) or a "vaucher". Several companies in Serbia (also: Macedonia and most importantly Croatia) and of course Russia are busy issuing basically fake hotel "vauchers". The traveler pays $20-$30, gets a silly vaucher and end of story. Now, not everyone can create such vaucher, only companies with good relation with Serbian, Croatian, Russian, Macedonian government (khmm..., khmmm...).

I was told, the Serbian visa was actually one of the easiest to get - but it did seriously hit the people living in the province. The current situation is, the long distance flights/trains cost actually less from Ural region to Crna Gora than to Krim. With one visa less, this is very welcome situation.

As for Croatia and Macedonia: they still continue the silly vaucher practice, even for Russians who are aboard the Budapest-Venice transit train and have multiple Schengen visa.

Montenegro dis abolish the visa regime, but it was one-sided. Time for Russians to look and kill their part of visa regime.

I understand the visa regime with Zimbabwe or Burkina Faso to some degree, but in that case it never had any sense.

FYI: Israel made the same move like Serbia - now there is no visa regime between Russia and Israel. Currently Russia is negotiating with EU about the same; no idea, how long it would take tough.

This is a very good news for Kosovo economy - if they can exploit it. Who has business sense can think, how to organize pilgrim tours to Decani, Pec, Gracanica and make some money. Because Russian tourists burn more money than Americans and somehow are more interested in Orthodox heritage.

To everyone who left negative comment or jeering: only who lives on the top of a tree and feeds on banana can't understand the benefits. B92, can you please moderate the unprofessional comments from losers out? They remind me of Cato the Elder's famous "Delenda est Carthago" speech on every occasion. This is now not Albania, not Kosovo and not 1244, just end of a stupid, outdated and corrupt visa regime inherited from spooky times of Socialism. One more evil is dead, be happy, it benefits everyone - end of story. Hope, Croatia and Macedonia will follow.

This is the best news that any non-Serb in the Balkans has received in a long time.

Dear Nemanjia..
For values i was not thinking at economic ones but at cultural heritage..
Anyway for my point of views:
1) All the eastern countries have received billions of our money in direct and indirect investments
2) Millions of work places have gone from western europe to eastern
3)Croazia i hope will never be part of Eu and they can keep their fischery zone..
3)Serbia hopefully will go east...

Excellent move by Serbia to remove the visa requirement, and it should soon be reciprocated. This will enhance travel and business between the two countries.

Luigi

I'm Serbian and I agree with you. Serbia's future should be out of the EU.

The problem is the EU wants us to join and keeps offering us carrots! Can you tell them to stop and move away?

"… In EU we have other values we are different so let us in peace…."

So Luigi, you have other values? Please, tell us more? Wouldn't you agree that this move is in perfect harmony with highest proclaimed ideals of "International Community" about free, open societies, freedom of movement of people, ideas, trade, e.c.t. If these proclaimed western values of freedom are dear to your hart, you should congratulate Serbian Government.

Luigi, Luigi, you live in the EU? I don't think so. The last time I checked, Albania still wasn’t a member.

Anyway, for Serbia to actually want to join, instead of being begged and cajoled, the EU would need to undergo radical reforms.

Why would anyone want to join an organisation where all member states are equal but some are more equal than others, where people are denied the right to vote, where respect for international law is selective? The EU is a sad mish-mash of all of the failed political systems of the last century.
We’re so sorry but the EU ‘club’ doesn’t meet our standards. Besides, it’s become a gang not a club and we’re just not into the whole ‘gang’ experience.

These two days all Russian mass media pay much attention to the mentioned friendly act of the Serbs. All the reports are positive.

Sure it is very wise of Serbia to abolish the visas. It won't take Russia long to do the same. By the way the Serbs should not think that our Kosovo activity is lowering. We really have a lot of things to do inside the country. And besides if you start to grow a beard you for some time look unshaved.

Reviving it's reputation Russia is strongly motivated to have some positive results in Kosovo to say nothing that all nations of Russia are eager to provide real help for the Serbs.

All these years the West was unjust and hostile both to Serbia and Russia causing disaster and collapse. Now we have a chance to put an end to it though it will take some time .

Luigi, let's summarize some of these European "values", shall we?

1) Exploit the resources, people and markets of the weaker members (most of the recent Eastern European nations)
2) Extort those countries that yearn for admittance (Croatia with their fishing zones)
3) Embezzle the property of nations that seek to join(Serbia's Kosovo province)

If you're proud of these "values". . .then we Serbs do NOT want to have anything to do with you!

The E.U. is nothing more than a pyramid scheme designed to enrich the original colonial architects (Germany, UK, France and Italy) at the expense of the new members by exploiting their resources and seeking tariff-free entry into their markets.

This is GREAT news for the Serbian nation. Serbia is close to signing a visa arrangement with the EU and this would bring great balance to the Serbian economy and culture. Strong exposure to both East and West will benefit in a substantial way.

I reject isolationists who claim Serbia must choose between the two. We can, and will have them both.

Serbia must hold off on joining the EU until Russia herself joins and brings balance and a more diverse voice to the EU as a whole. Currently the EU is dominated by the BIG 3 in Western Europe. There needs to be a counter-balance to that block. Russia will make the EU a stronger more successful and more viable and far more powerful country.

Serbia is positioned perfectly to compliment this transition.

"Dear Nemanjia..
For values i was not thinking at economic ones but at cultural heritage..
Anyway for my point of views:
1) All the eastern countries have received billions of our money in direct and indirect investments
2) Millions of work places have gone from western europe to eastern
3)Croazia i hope will never be part of Eu and they can keep their fischery zone..
3)Serbia hopefully will go east...
(Luigi, 8 March 2008 08:25) "

So Luigi, out of curiosity, would you also advocate that both Tirana and Pristina be blocked from EU membership too? Because I can tell you Kosovo would need billions upon billions of EU aid before it is ready to join.

The problem is the EU wants us to join and keeps offering us carrots! Can you tell them to stop and move away?
(ZK UK, 7 March 2008 17:43)

you funny comments always make me laugh. it looks like you are already kidnapped by the cruel EU ghost-carot. or did you sign a private SAA?

sorry for beig ironic - but what you are doing - is rather cynic than funny. you are benefiting by living inside the EU - but you oppose it. why are you there?