Agreement on visa-free travel by the end of the year
A Norwegian-Russian agreement on visa-free travel for the two countries’ border zone inhabitants could be ready by the end of the year says Chief of police in Eastern Finnmark police district Håkon Skulstad.
- Borderer certificates could be an extremely positive initiative for the local population and for the development in the region, Håkon Skulstad told Sør-varanger avis.
- At the same time we are concerned about taking measurements before any eventual negative consequences appear, the Chief of police said, and added that a boost in cross-border traffic could change the crime picture.
While the agreement might soon be ready, the Storskog border crossing station has to be expanded and upgraded before the new arrangement can be put into life.
The plan is to move agencies like the Norwegian Border Commissariat, Food Safety Authorities, customs and road administration to the new building. As BarentsObserver reported, the plan for the upgrade is expected to be presented in November this year.
Norwegian police and customs authorities are now planning a new border crossing point at Storskog where border zone inhabitants can pass through a designated gate without needing to show visa or passport. The only thing needed will be an identification card, possibly with an electronic chips containing biometric characteristics like finger prints or. The crossing will be free of charge, but the identification card will cost about 35 EUR.
Storskog border crossing point is dimensioned for 100.000 people per year. Skulstad believes this number will be doubled when the borderer certificates are issued. According to the Schengen agreement people living within 30 kilometers from both sides of the border can be given the right to cross the border without visa or passport. On the Russian side of the border this concerns around 55 000 people, and on the Norwegian side around 9000.
