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European Union countries are discussing a Czech proposal to limit the movement of Russian diplomats in the Schengen area. Prague is afraid of potential spies, who in this way avoid monitoring their activities, reported the “Financial Times”.
Last week, a Czech document was circulated on the 12th package of sanctions against Russia with ideas to prevent espionage activity. The package has not yet been finally approved, but it seems that there is not enough time for the initiative to get into it.
The proposal is to issue visas and residence permits to Russian diplomats that allow travel only within the host country and not the rest of the Schengen area, the Financial Times, familiar with the document, said. Prague also proposes to accept only biometric passports that are more difficult to forge.
The Czechs have raised specific concerns about Russian officials holding Austrian visas for UN institutions in Vienna, but who can then travel to the Czech Republic or other 24 Schengen countries.
