The first European country to ban Russian tourists.

Norway will ban Russian tourists from entering the country starting May 29th - Photo: EURACTIV

According to a press release on the Norwegian government 's website on May 23, cited by the Russian news agency RIA, Norway will ban entry for Russian tourists.

"Russian citizens traveling to Norway for tourism or other 'non-essential' purposes will be denied entry," a press release on the Norwegian government's website stated. The new regulations will officially come into effect on May 29.

However, Russian citizens who come to Norway to visit relatives, or to study or work, may still be granted entry.

"Norwegian authorities are closely monitoring the situation at border crossings, including Storskog, the only land border crossing between Russia and Norway, and are ready to act if necessary," the Norwegian government further announced.

Since September 2022, seven months after Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine, the European Union (EU) suspended the Schengen visa agreement for Russians. As a result, Russian citizens have faced significant difficulties obtaining visas to EU countries.

A Schengen visa allows its holder easy entry, exit, and free movement between Schengen countries without the need for border checks within the bloc.

The Schengen free movement area comprises 23 EU members, along with four non-EU countries: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. On March 31st, the Schengen area welcomed Romania and Bulgaria as "partial" members, bringing the total number of members to 29 countries.

In addition, several countries bordering Russia, such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, have restricted entry for Russian tourists.

According to RIA, Norway was also the first country to issue a complete ban on all Russian tourists, instead of just restricting them like other European countries.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/quoc-gia-chau-au-dau-tien-cam-du-khach-nga-20240523144457954.htm