AGREEMENT
between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Iceland on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the Russian Federation and Iceland

THE PARTIES,

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION and THE GOVERNMENT OF ICELAND,

Desiring to facilitate people to people contacts as an important condition for a steady development of economic, humanitarian, cultural, scientific and other ties, by facilitating the issuing of visas to the citizens of the Russian Federation and Iceland on the basis of reciprocity,

Bearing in mind close relations of the Russian Federation and Iceland confirmed by various bilateral agreements,

Recognising the intention to establish a visa-free travel regime between the Russian Federation and Iceland,

Considering the close relationship between the European Community and Iceland, particularly by virtue of the Agreement concluded on 18 May 1999 by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the association of those two States with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen Acquis,