British and French Governments To Close Sangatte Refugee Camp
The Sangatte refugee camp will no longer accept would-be asylum seekers after November 15.
Following a meeting between British Home Secretary David Blunkett and his French Counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, the announcement was made that the camp will permanently close its doors no later than April.
The camp, near Calais, has been one factor in a refugee smuggling problem. Other measures adopted to disrupt the smuggling network includes a five mile double fence at a freight terminal near Calais, part of a multi-million dollar security package.
Lithuania Revokes Russia’s Visa Privileges
In a move relating to an ongoing row between Moscow and the European Union, the Lithuanian government said Wednesday that it has notified Russia it was canceling its bilateral visa privileges at the first of the year. The government said it was keeping in line with EU regulations, fulfilling commitments it made to the EU during accession talks.
One million Russian citizens in Kaliningrad will be surrounded by EU territory once Lithuania and Poland join. Russia is scrambling to lobby for the residents, who would then need a visa to cross into Russia proper.
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