Indonesia Expects Russia to Implement Visa-Free Arrangement on Reciprocal Basis

Kuta, Bali (Antara) - The Indonesian government expects Russia to give Indonesians visa-free facilities on a reciprocal basis to ease people-to-people connectivity between two countries, particularly through the tourism sector. \"Free visa negotiation is underway by considering the aspects of reciprocity, advantages and security,\" said Foreign Affairs Ministry\'s acting director of Central and East Europe Directory Ibnu Hadi here on Sunday. In terms of visa-free arrangement on a reciprocal basis, Hadi mentioned that Russia had implemented it with Thailand, \"Then why don\'t they do the same with Indonesia?\" Since early January 2015, Indonesia has officially waived visa requirements for visitors from Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia wishing to travel to the country. Hadi said Russia is among the countries which have the potential to become one of the major markets for the Indonesian tourism. According to data from the Tourism Ministry, Russia is one of the top twenty sources of tourist arrivals in Indonesia. In 2013, a total of 93,622 Russian nationals visited Indonesia, and in 2014 the number decreased to 88,775. The decrease, Hadi said, was caused by some factors, such as no direct flight from Indonesia to Russia and the sluggish Russian economy which caused Rubel currency to depreciate against the US dollar. The Russian honorary consular based in Denpasar, Bali, Chairul Nuku Hamka, explained that almost 72 thousand Russian tourists visited Bali Island in 2014. \"On average about four to five thousand Russian tourists visit Bali per month,\" he said.