Serbia Gains More Than It Gives From Visa-Free Travel With Russia, Envoy Says

BELGRADE – The Russian ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Bocan-Harchenko, has pushed back against discussions in Belgrade about ending the visa-free travel arrangement between the two countries, arguing that the policy benefits Serbia far more than it costs.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Bocan-Harchenko said the visa waiver brings clear advantages to Serbia, particularly in terms of family visits, cultural exchanges, and business connections. "There is no need to explain in detail that this arrangement brings great benefits to Serbia in every sense – above all in the human and humanitarian sense, and certainly for business people and all the contacts we are developing," he said.

His comments come after Dragan Stanojevic, head of the Serbian parliament’s committee on diaspora and Serbs in the region, said the government is considering scrapping the visa-free regime with Russia as part of its European Union accession process.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that decisions to end visa-free travel are usually reciprocal, meaning Russia would likely respond in kind if Serbia made the first move.

Bocan-Harchenko acknowledged that Serbian society has different views on whether to lean closer to Russia or the West. "That is normal. It is Serbia’s choice," he said. But he stressed that any decision should reflect the will of the majority of Serbian citizens and should not damage the friendly ties between the two nations. "We believe Serbia will make a rational decision that does not harm its own interests or our relationship."