Latvia has raised concerns once again about citizens of Russia and Belarus entering its territory on Schengen visas issued by other member states.
The Baltic country has been keeping an entry ban on Russians and Belarusians wanting to enter the country for tourism purposes from their home countries for some time now.
However, Russians and Belarusians who hold valid Schengen visas are using other member states as a backdoor to enter the Latvian territory, prompting concerns among the Ministry of Interior and other authorities, Schengen.News reports.
As the Minister of Interior of Latvia, Rihards Kozlovskis, suggested, it appears that some Russian and Belarusian passport holders are evading the ban. They are first travelling to member states that have “a more friendly attitude” towards them, and then reaching other member states in which they face a ban via internal borders.
Influx of Tourism From Russia Is a Threat to Internal Security, Minister Kozlovskis Said
In addition, Minister Kozlovskis also said that the influx of Russian tourists in the Schengen Area represents a threat to internal security and disclosed the measures that Latvia plans to take.
Let’s be realistic, what does the influx of tourism from Russia and then free movement in the Schengen zone mean? This, in my opinion, is a threat to internal security.
As LSM explains, Minister Kozlovskis said that the Ministry is working to develop regulations that would permit the monitoring of Russian and Belarusian citizens entering Latvia from other Schengen member states.
The country intends to impose a requirement on Russians and Belarusians to fill out an application stating that they will be staying in Latvia.
Latvia Previously Called on EU Member States to Stop Granting Schengen Visas to Russians
During the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs of the EU held earlier in March, Minister Kozlovskis called on the EU member states to stop issuing Schengen visas for Russian citizens.
His call came following the presentation of the Schengen Barometer data for 2024. The barometer showed that a significantly higher number of Russians were granted Schengen visas in 2024.
According to the barometer, a total of 565,069 Russians were granted Schengen visas by member states last year. This represents a 25 per cent increase compared to 2023, raising concerns among the Latvian authorities.
Alarmed about such numbers, Minister Kozlovskis said during the meeting that the member states should be aware of the risks posed by tourists from Russia to the internal security of the bloc.
In addition to Latvia, another five EU countries currently do not grant Schengen visas to Russian tourists.