Move would significantly boost ties: Ambassador
KUALA LUMPUR: Russia has renewed its push for a long-delayed visa-free travel regime with Malaysia as tourist flows between both countries diverge sharply, with more than 130,000 Russians visiting Malaysia this year compared with only 4,000 Malaysians travelling the other way.
Russian Ambassador Naiyl Latypov said negotiations to abolish visas for short-term travel have been ongoing for more than a decade, with Moscow now awaiting Malaysia’s response to the latest draft agreement sent in October.
He added that the measure would significantly boost people-to-people ties.
“For us, abolishing the visa requirements is an important factor in increasing the number of Malaysian tourists visiting Russia.”
Russia views reciprocity as a legal requirement for visa-free arrangements and has been attempting to align the wording and conditions acceptable to both sides.
“We started these talks in 2014. Recently, we sent a new draft to our Malaysian partners and now we are waiting for their response.
“There are slight differences in our positions. Some changes Malaysia proposed were acceptable to us, some were not. We are trying to find a mutually acceptable solution.”
He also said negotiations were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic due to the absence of direct engagement, resulting in multiple exchanges of draft texts and unresolved language differences.
He said Moscow has taken several steps to make travel easier for Malaysians while negotiations continue, including the introduction of an online visa system and efforts to make Russian cities more accessible to Muslim travellers.
“Now you can apply for a Russian visa from your home. You apply on your computer and in three days you would receive an answer.
“We are trying to create a Muslim-friendly atmosphere. Twenty or 25 years ago, Malaysians told me there were no halal hotels or food.
“Now we have many (such)hotels, and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department has approved halal certificates issued by two Russian organisations.”
Talks on restoring direct flights between both countries also remain inconclusive due to restrictions linked to sanctions affecting refuelling, aviation insurance and payment mechanisms.
“There are some difficult issues, but we are consulting and hope to find a solution.”
Latypov said the proposed visa-free regime would apply to all categories of Malaysians and Russians, except diplomats and long-term workers who would still require visas under standard immigration rules.
He added there is no confirmed launch date, although Moscow hopes the agreement could be concluded “in the near future”.
On future visits by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Latypov said the president had to cancel his planned trip to Malaysia during the Asean Summit due to scheduling constraints, but indicated interest remains.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim invited the president, but President Putin’s programme was so tight that he could not find the possibility to visit.
“It seems to me, and this is my personal view, that the president likes Malaysia. In 2023 he visited twice, which is very rare for any country. Before that, he visited in 2005. It was a different world.”
