RUSSO–FINNISH TRAVEL INSURANCE DISPUTE MAKES SLOW PROGRESS

A long-running dispute between Finland and Russia over travel insurance is making “slow progress”, according to Finnish government sources. Foreign minister Kimmo Sasi said that it was hoped that the problem would be resolved by the end of the year, but that there were no “concrete guarantees”. The dispute dates back to May last year when Russia began requiring Finnish tourists to present either a travel insurance policy that was reinsured in Russia or a policy bought from a Russian insurer as a requirement for obtaining a visa to visit Russia. Finland contends that the demand contravenes agreements signed between Russia and the EU. In September Finnish insurers agreed to renew temporary reinsurance contracts with the Russian central insurance authority, but these expire at the end of the year.