Russia concerned about CIS migrants

Between 21 and 23 million foreign nationals arrive in Russia every year, mostly from neighboring countries, Konstantin Romodanovsky, Director of the Federal Migration Service of Russia, told the members of the Federation Council on Monday.

Citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States account for about 80 percent of foreigners arriving in Russia. Most of illegal migrants come to Russia legally, as tourists or individual visitors.

Romodanovsky said the poorly equipped borders and the lack of effective immigration control in Russia allows foreigners to use Russia as a stopover on their way to Western Europe. He said this problem was becoming increasingly urgent in terms of cooperation with the European Union.

“At least two out of five main routes used by illegal migrants go through Russia, according to the European Police Office, and this causes serious concern in European countries,” Romodanovsky said.

Another migration-related problem is an increasing number of crimes committed by foreigners (3 percent of the total). (Source: www.rbc.ru)