Moscow is working on simplifying visa procedures for six of its friendliest countries, including Indonesia, due to the recent drop on tourist number in Russia. The other nation receiving the simplifying visa procedures are Angola, Vietnam, Syria and the Philippines.
“We are also working on draft intergovernmental agreements on simplifying visa procedures with Angola, Vietnam, Indonesia, Syria and the Philippines,” stated by Russia Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yevgeny Ivanov.
The friendly countries’ list was first made in May 2021 by Kremlin, before expanding it in March 2022.
Neutrality makes it friendly
The decline in Russian tourism has forced Kremlin to simplify visas for some countries, even though the residents in these countries do not regard Russia as a tourist destination. The country has never been a popular tourist destination neither for Indonesian.
The selection was clearly not based on tourism reasons. These six countries were chosen not for their tourism potential, but because they were thought to be the most friendly to Russia. Indonesia for instance, did not join the sanctions against Russia as many others did.
Indonesia is even attempting to buy crude oil from Russia in terms of trade. The Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mrs. Lyudmila Vorobieva, recently met with West Kalimantan government representatives to discuss bilateral industrial and trade cooperation.
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