Russian Railways just launched their service between Helsinki and St Petersburg on Sunday, as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Finnish President Tarja Halonen attended the ceremony which could lead the two nations into a new era of cooperation. With talks between Russia and the European Union at a virtual standstill over free visa travel, experts expect Russia and Finland to work a visa deal soon.
On the heels of this news, Russia could allow visa free travel for passengers on this high speed train link, greatly easing the necessary red tape normally associated with travel to and from the Russian Federation. Chief executive of Russian Railways, Vladimir Yakunin, had this to say about Sunday’s ceremony and visa requirements:
“We have submitted our proposal (to lift visa requirements for EU citizens traveling by the high-speed train) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the cabinet will review it.”
It is hard to imagine Putin or Halonen nixing the deal considering Putin’s all out efforts to ramp up the Russian tourism sector, and the obvious benefits for Finland. Finland will make for a good test case and ally in talks with other European nations too. The four high speed trains that will travel between St. Petersburg and Helsinki will carry an expected quarter of a million passengers in 2011 alone. Already Russian Trains dot com has offerings on the express train service. (below)
EU citizens who travel to Russia have long complained about the red tape and inconvenience there, as have Russian citizens who travel to the West. It is cooperation like this possibility with Finland that will likely make the difference in negotiations to normalize travel between East and West in the future. This make it highly unlikely Putin would do anything but embrace such visa changes.
Most experts believe Putin can be taken at his word on these matter, and his words reflect a Russia tired of the political dogma that has enchained the country’s travel industry for decades, he told the audience at Sunday’s press conference:
“The visa regime is dictated entirely by political reasons. It is an atavism from the past and should be abolished.”
For Finland’s part President Tarja Halonen appears positive about at least a limited visa-free arrangement. During her visit to St. Petersburg last Monday, the idea of visa-free travel for Russian rail passengers seemed a positive topic. During her visit to St. Petersburg on Monday, she said that extending the three-day visa-free arrangements from cruise ship travel to include rail travel could greatly advance visa-free travel for the EU and Russia.
Just so you know, a first class seat on the express train via Russian Trains dot com is only about €165, not a bad deal for luxury travel.
View Comments (4)
To give visa free privilege to Russian citizens is as the same matter as giving to those who are ex-KGB or Mafia members. Fake Russian passports is largely available in black markets not only in Russia but also the northern part of China.
Hi no, Perhaps you are right. But. In order to restrict the 100 or 200 undesirable spies, criminals, or other unsavory characters tens of millions must be inconvenienced?
My theory on this is, if former KGB or Russian Mafia kingpins or worker bees want to enter Finland or anywhere else - they will with our without a visa. I understand the need for security, but this is like the argument against firearms, painting the automatic pistol as the evil one in a shooting.
I think there are ways to find fugitives without trying to lock them inside the largest country in the world. Thanks so much for your take on this.
Always,
Phil
The more communication and exchanges, the more mutual understanding and less prejudices. Yes, there are criminals in any country and if they want to get to Finland or to Russia, they will. Thank you for the report, Phillip.
You are most welcome Anatoli, The world should not suffer for the transgressions of a few.
Always,
Phil