Russia Working On Simplifying Visa Application Process For Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- Russia is working on simplifying the visa application process for Malaysians with the first step being the drafting of an inter-governmental agreement to ease the procedures for holders of diplomatic and service passports. Russian Ambassador to Malaysia, Valery N. Yermolov, said that this was part of the Russian government's efforts to overcome difficulties as Russia was keen to further develop its relations with Malaysia, not only in trade, but also in cultural, tourism and people-to-people exchange. “The first step is our proposal to conclude inter-governmental agreement between Russia and Malaysia to ease the procedures for diplomatic and service passport (applications). “The draft of the agreement is already with Malaysia's Foreign Ministry to examine and we hope to receive positive reply,” he told reporters after the opening of the "Malaysia-Russia: Past, Present and Future" art exhibition at the National Visual Arts Gallery here Thursday. The ambassador said that despite the fact that it was not difficult for Malaysians to get Russian visa, not many Malaysians had visited the country. Last year, only 3,000 Malaysian tourists visited Russia compared with 50,000 Russians who came to Malaysia, he added. Meanwhile, the art exhibition, which began Thursday (May 11) until May 23, is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Russia. To mark the auspicious ties, the Russian government also presented a bust of Nicholas Miklouho-Maclay, the first Russian explorer and scientist who visited Malaya between November 1874 and October 1875, to the Malaysian government. -- BERNAMA