Costa Pacifica cruise - Q&A from the press briefing (19 Mar. 20)

Share

Q. The Embassy of Russia in Paris sent a note to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting that it resolve the situation for Russian tourists who cannot leave the Costa Pacifica cruise ship, anchored near Marseille. According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Russia’s consulate general in Marseille and the Russian Embassy in Paris have been taking active steps over the past days to arrange their meeting in Marseille, but no permission has been obtained so far. Do you have any comment on this situation?

Q. Yesterday passengers aboard the Costa Pacific cruise ship were notified that, following Spain’s refusal [to allow passengers to disembark], the planned stop in Marseille is also not possible and the next attempt to dock will be in Genoa. There are no suspected cases of COVID-19 on board. Did you receive the note from the Russian Embassy in Paris concerning the passengers aboard this ship? What will the solution be for foreigners aboard the vessel? Will France agree to allow people to disembark in Marseille?

A. A diplomatic note from the Russian Embassy about the situation you mention arrived this morning. We are monitoring the situation in conjunction with all relevant agencies. We refer you to the Ministry of the Interior.