The Russian Federation has a number of international agreements with neighbouring countries. In April 2003 the Russian Federation signed a measure with Turkmenistan to end dual nationalities of Russian and Turkmen citizens. Following that agreement in April 2003 the Turkmen President gave holders of dual nationality two months in which to decide which nationality to maintain. President Putin defended the agreement by stating that dual nationality was no longer necessary because ethnic Russians wishing to leave Turkmenistan had already done so. At the same time the two countries also signed an agreement to combat international terrorism and made agreements for the mutual extradition of international terrorists.

More

The Russian Federation also in 2003 signed its first Readmission agreement with Lithuania to provide for the return of irregular migrants in either country. The agreement was necessary in order for Lithuania to comply with Schengen requirements imposed in July 2003. The Federation plans to sign a number of similar readmission agreements with third countries using the agreement with Lithuania as a model. The Russian parliament still needs to ratify this agreements for a provision on travel documents for Russian citizens transiting through Lithuania to reach Kaliningrad to come into effect. In May 2003 the Parliament ratified a Treaty which forms part of an agreement made between Lithuania, the Russian federation and the EU for the transit of citizens of the enclave of Kaliningrad and the rest of Russia as preparation for Lithuania’s entry to the European Union. The agreement sets out the delineation of the borders between the Russian Federation and Lithuania, which includes the Baltic shelf. The border between the two countries now has the status of an international border.

In January 2003 Russia signed an agreement with Ukraine. The text of the agreement was not made public at the time however it concerned the state borders, the negotiating process on border co-operation continued once the agreement was between the two countries.

Analysis provided by: Anisa Niaz LLM (Public Law), United Kingdom.

Hide