(ANSA) - BELGRADE, AUG 26 - According to Radio Slobodna Evropa (Radio Free Europe), Serbia intends to be "ready to join the Schengen area" by the end of 2027, but is "not considering" introducing visas for Russian citizens. However, for Serbia to join the European free travel area, each candidate country's visa policy must be consistent with that of the European Union. For Belgrade, this would imply the abolition of visa-free travel with several countries, including Russia, with which it has long had friendly relations. "It is not a priority right now, nor is it the activity we are focusing on,£" said Veljko Odalović, head of the newly established coordination body for Serbia's entry into the Schengen area, adding that they are gradually moving towards harmonisation. "We will not do what Montenegro has done and announced because it has clearly already received signals regarding its accession to the European Union. Unfortunately, we are not receiving these signals at the moment," he stated. (ANSA).