The European Union (EU) is ready to discuss with Russia the mutual recognition of certificates that indicate that people have immunity to COVID-19, EU Ambassador to Russia Markus Ederer announced at a press conference. According to him, the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates in Russia and the EU would be “very useful” for both parties. According to experts interviewed by Izvestia, this mutual recognition of vaccines and certificates is very likely.

Ederer explained that electronic certificates are already in force in Europe, which allows EU citizens to move around the continent without hindrance.

He noted that the success of negotiations with Russia would make travel easier for its citizens and placed responsibility for the recognition of Russia’s Sputnik V jab on the European Medicines Agency. Assistant to the Minister of Health of Russia Alexey Kuznetsov said on the same day that the ministry had received the proposal and was ready to start dialogue.

The prospect of vaccines and certificates being mutually recognized is quite real, Head of the Department of Science and Innovation at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations Zaur Mamedyarov said. “It is beneficial for European corporations to drag on the [certification] process as long as possible until Sputnik is no longer needed,” the expert explained. At the same time, recognizing vaccines on a parity basis, that is, letting European vaccines into the Russian market – may take place as early as September, when the majority of the Russian and European population will be immunized with their own drugs. The certification process will also have a very positive impact on the recognition of Sputnik V by the WHO, which is to be expected in the coming weeks. At the same time, countries with great political weight – for example, France, will in every possible way hinder certification, although they can only slow it down,” the expert said.