Russia, Cyprus should return to visa-free regime - Putin

MOSCOW, January 31 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and the Republic of Cyprus should lift visa restrictions and use travel regulations similar to those the two countries enjoyed before the Mediterranean island became a member of the European Union, Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

"I believe we could certainly return to a visa-free regime with Cyprus," the president said during an annual news conference in the Kremlin. "I think the economy in Cyprus could benefit from it, considering the vast flow of Russian tourists to the country who enjoy their vacations on Cyprus, including its Greek part."

The Greek part of the island, which became an EU member in May 2004, is one of the most popular destinations for Russian holidaymakers, but Putin struck a note of caution over the visa issue. He said many Russian tourists could choose to take their vacations in Turkey or the northern part of Cyprus that it administers, even though the "republic" is unrecognized by the international community, as they could simply enter the country without visas.

"We could develop a system that would allow tourists to enter Cyprus without visas, but would not let them travel to any other EU country party to the Schengen Agreement, without special permission," Putin said.

The Schengen zone covers the majority of EU countries, and allows foreigners to travel to other countries within the area once they have opened a visa in their originally designated country of destination.