112.999 Travel Alerts Travel Warnings For Europe

 112.999 Travel Alerts Travel Warnings For Europe

including   Crimea  Iceland Moldova Russia & The Ukraine

Travel Alerts & Terrorist Warnings  For The Baltic States Central Europe Eastern Europe Northern Europe Southern Europe Western Europe Scandinavia & Russia issued by & courtsey of the United Kingdom Government Foreign & Commonwealth Office  Postings are listed alphabetically by country

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Significant  Or Specific Terrorist Threats

2hd September  2014: There  are no specific terrorist threats at the present but there remains a high risk of terroism in all European capital cities in particular London Madrid Moscow Berlin Copenhagen Amsterdam and Paris

Important Note  The British Government, through it’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London, as a matter of policy issues for United Kingdom residents informed ‘Travel Advice’ on most countries in the world. The advice given in these national reviews is regularly reviewed and updated where appropriate.

Constant monitoring of this excellent service by euromost has established that within a few hours of a significant incident in a country, the current advice issued in respect of that country has been re-appraised, modified where necesscary and posted online irrespective of the time of day or the day of the week. Currently, there is at least a note of caution in the ‘Advice’ being given for every European country. Thus you are advised to read the available advice before travelling. See this link. Alternatively telephone 0845 850 2829

Summary Of Travel Warnings For Certain European Countries

(Updated 2nd September 014)

The information below is a summary only of more detailed information issued by the British Foreign Office for the European countries concerned. Euromost strongly advise visitors visiting these countries check the latest Foreign Office Advice before departure. For the the full text of the very latest travel warnings and advice for these countries go to the FCO website Link and select the link you require.

Albania Travel Warnings Personal Safety Security Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from international terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Although public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, crime and violence still represent a problem in some areas (though not typically targeted at foreign nationals). Gun ownership is widespread.

In northern Albania unexploded landmines exist outside some towns near the border with Kosovo. Do not ignore the posted warnings.

From late November to early March the hilly or mountainous areas can experience heavy and disruptive snowfall.

See also Euromost Country Profile for Albania.

Bosnia & Herzegovina Travel Warnings Personal Safety Security Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

In recent years there have been a number of demonstrations in various locations across Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in Sarajevo and Banja Luka. Some have targeted Western interests. Visitors should be aware that any demonstration or large gathering has the potential to turn violent, and should remain vigilant.

Unexploded landmines remain a real danger, particularly in isolated areas in the mountains and countryside. You should therefore be careful not to stray from roads and paved areas without an experienced guide.

In the summer of 2heavy rainfall caused landslides which have minefields and uprooted the warning signs in front of them. For more information on these minefields go to http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Organizations/Detail/?lng=en&id=89472

.see also Euromost Country Profile for Bosnia.

Crimea Advice

Former Ukrainian province now under Russian control (since 21st March 2014) viewed by many western governments as a no go area for their citizens. Some governments are advising any of their citizens in this region to leave immediately.  Simferopol Airport – Flights subject to disruption Public Transport To Ukraine – Bus & Rail Services subject to disruption.

Georgia / South Ossetia Travel Warnings Personal Safety Security Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 13 February 2012 an explosive device was found in the car of an Israeli Embassy employee in Tbilisi. Visitors should exercise vigilance.

We advise against all travel to the Russian controlled breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and all but essential travel to areas near the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABLs) with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where tensions remain high following their annexation by Russia in 2008. There is a risk of unexploded ordnance in these areas.

Protests are a common occurrence in Georgia. You should avoid demonstrations as violent incidents do occur.It is illegal to enter Georgia via South Ossetia or Abkhazia as there is no official border control.

It is not considered safe to drive at night in Georgia. due to the poor driving conditions.

Iceland Travel Alert

In Eastern Iceland since August the area around the Vatnajokull Glacier has been seismically active  indicating the possibility of the Barcarbunga Volcano erupting. Flight paths across this area have been redirected.  Some roads have been closed in this region and some people have been evacuated.  Air and road travel may be disrupted.

Kosovo Update Travel Warnings Personal Safety Security Terrorism

The security situation in Kosovo remains calm but tense.  There have been violent incidents with grenades and vehicles blowing up.  the North Mitrovica  area in northern Kosovo.  There have been sporadic disturbances in the North Mitrovica area since Kosovo declared independence in February 2008 including an armed incident on 9 November 2011. On 8 April an apartment in Mitrovica was bombed, resulting in one death

in the south of the country including  Pristina and Gracanica, it is generally quieter but violent incident do occur. especially during demonstrations which should be avoided.

.We advise against all but essential travel to the municipalities of Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic, and to the northern part of the city of Mitrovica. Where possible, you should also avoid large crowds or demonstrations.

.If you intend to enter Kosovo from Serbia (border crossings at Gates 1 and 31, Leposavic and Zubin Potok) , you are strongly advised to consider alternative routes. Blocks along the road may prevent you from being able to complete your journey and the security situation is unpredictable

See also Euromost Kosovo Country Profile

Macedonia Travel Warnings Personal Safety Security Terrorism

You should exercise caution and vigilance in areas where there are political or other large public gatherings and or demonstrations. .

You should exercise caution if you intend to travel to the northern and western border regions of Macedonia. Petty crime orchestrated by organised gangs is prevalent here. Foreign students are frequently targeted. Passports should be kept in a secure place at all times

 see also Euromost Country Profile for Macedonia

Moldova  Travel Warnings Personal Safety Security Terrorism

At present the political situation in greater Moldova  including the capital Chisinau is stable.  However since the fall of communism the Transnistria region in the north east of Moldova and bordering southwest Ukraine has been under the control of Russian Separatists and some intelligence reports that are over 2,000 Russian troops stationed in the region. The situation in Transnistria is stable at present but given the situation in eastern Ukraine  it could change at short notice. Visitors to this area should be aware that their government may not have diplomatic representation within in Transnistra should they get into difficulties.one region

There is a low risk off terrorism in Moldova though petty crime can be a problem in Chisinau especially. Passports should be kept in a secure place and you should carry a copy of it with you for identification purposes. Do not take photographs of government buildings or military installations.

Russia Travel Warnings Personal Safety Security Terrorism.

Pro-Russian separatists in parts of Southern and Eastern Ukraine are involved in a civil war with Ukrainian Government Forces particularly in the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions. Donetsk was the closest city to  the MH17 Malaysian Plane Massacre. Many western governments are advising their citizens in Russia to not travel within 15 km of the Russian border wIth of the Donetsk and Lugansk region of Ukraine.  Some governments are advising any of their citizens in these regions to leave immediately. 

The border with Kharkiv Region is also an area best avoided by a similar distance unless travel is ‘essential.

We advise against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan because of the security situation in the North Caucasus.

We advise against all travel to the districts of east and south Stavropol Krai which border Dagestan and Chechnya, namely Budyonnovsky, Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky and Kursky.

We advise against all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area).

There is a high level of threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Attacks have occurred most frequently in Moscow and in the North Caucasus

Racially motivated attacks do occur: visitors of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent should take extra care.

Euromost Editorial Note Re Moscow: Suicide attacks occasionally occur in public places in Moscow, including in the last year on the Metro system and more recently on 24 January 2011 a bomb exploded in the arrivals hall at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport killing over 30 people and injuring over 180.

Historically attacks have included the taking of hostages. The risk of terrorism in Moscow is high as the capital city is a prime though difficult target for terrorists.

Though the Russian authorities do not publish details of terrorist activity other informed sources report that In Russia generally incidents of terrorism have increased around 120 annually a decade ago to nearly 800 in 2

see also Euromost Country Profile for Russia

Serbia Travel Warnings Personal Safety Security Terrorism

Some are in western and central Serbia are still experiencing remain after affects of severe flooding in the spring. These include areas around the rivers  Sava, Kolubara, Jasenica, Morava, Danube and others, including land close  to Belgrade. Though water levels have returned to normal, there still remains a risk of landslides in some areas which drivers should be aware of. Some roads are closed so enable repairs to be made.

The issue of Kosovo remains a potential cause for unrest. Political tensions in Serbia heighten occasionally, often in reaction to incidents taking place in the Serb-dominated north of Kosovo. Keep up to date with local developments and avoid any large crowds and demonstrations. Kosovo’s independence remains an emotive issue for many Serbs. Avoid being drawn into a discussion about Kosovo with people you don’t know well

You should also be aware of the potential for heightened tensions and possible unrest in Belgrade and other Serbian cities, should the political situation concerning northern Kosovo deteriorate.

Following the declaration of independence by Kosovo, crossing of the land border between Serbia and Kosovo may be difficult. The authorities in Serbia don’t consider the designated crossing points with Kosovo to be official ‘international’ border crossing points.  Foreign nationals have been denied entry to Serbia if they have Republic of Kosovo stamps in their passports.  You are less likely to experience problems if you travel into Kosovo from Serbia and return via the same route, or if you travel via Albania, Macedonia or Montenegro. For more information visit the website of the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You should be aware that many pick pockets in Serbia target tourists who they believe carry large amounts of cash on them.  Be very careful at airports on all public transport and in petrol stations. Expensive vehicles especially those with a ‘our wheel drive’ are often the target ofv more serious criminals. Isolated violent robberies can occur.

There is still some danger from residual mines and other unexploded ordnance left over from the 1999 conflict in Kosovo and in Serbia.  The majority of affected areas are in the mountainous regions to the north and east of Kosovo.  Special care should be taken in all these areas and you should keep to marked roads. Most of the remaining dangerous zones are in high mountainous regions covered with dense vegetation.  If you see anything suspicious, DO NOT TOUCH IT, and report it immediately to the police.