Finland does not plan to stop issuing tourist visas for Russian tourists as part of anti-Russian sanctions. This was stated by one of the Finnish ministers. However, in general, the country complies with the sanctions regime against Russians – which is why the same shopping trips, as tourists complain, have become completely meaningless. Moreover, everything may change in the near future: a number of political parties in Finland decided to aggravate and demanded that they no longer issue tourist visas to Russians.
The statement that Finland does not plan to cancel the issuance of visas to Russian tourists was officially announced by and. about. Prime Minister of Finland, Minister for EU Affairs and State Property Tytti Tuppurainen. At the same time, representatives of the leading parties in Finland demanded to stop issuing visas in Russia, following the example of the Baltic countries and other anti-Russian wing of the EU.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin herself is on vacation. So it is quite possible that soon the Finnish authorities' policy towards Russian tourists will be adjusted – and not in our favor.
In the meantime, Suomi authorities say the following. “The policy of Finland is to support the common sanctions policy of the EU. This issue should be agreed at the level of the EU and the Schengen countries. The EU has already frozen part of the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia … There is readiness for other actions, ”the Finnish acting cited. premiere of RIA Novosti. Helsinki is not preparing its own measures on this issue, she added.
However, the measures adopted for Russian tourists are enough. “They take everything,” shocked tourists write. So the Finnish cross-border shopping turned out to be the main victim of the EU sanctions. “The list of what cannot be bought and what cannot be exported or imported is simply huge. There is no point in such trips anymore. The import of goods over 300 euros is prohibited. Export from Finland too. You can’t buy phones, almost any equipment, gadgets, binoculars, drones… All this is now considered “luxury items”. In general, any thing more expensive than 300 euros is a luxury item,” the tourist said. According to her, Russian tourists simply refuse to sell anything – even an ordinary jacket. They don't sell sim cards either. At the same time, on the way back, tourists will have a very thorough inspection of their bags.
For those who value a healthy lifestyle, we recommend reading: “The Russians were explained why you should not make your bed immediately after sleep.”