MOSCOW, January 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and the European Union may sign agreements on simplifying visa procedures and the readmission of people deported from EU countries in spring 2006, the Austrian ambassador to Moscow said Tuesday.
Martin Vukovic said: "Agreement was reached at the Russia-EU summit last October on visa simplification agreements for certain categories of citizens and on readmission. We hope these agreements will be signed this spring."
Visa facilitation includes easing visa restrictions for Russian and EU students, researchers, politicians, diplomats, and businessmen. Russia has already agreed less stringent visa regulations with Germany, Italy, and France.
Readmission means Russia will have to accept deported immigrants that had illegally entered the EU from Russian territory. Earlier, Russia refused to readmit people from other countries that had arrived in the EU from Russian territory for fear that they would stay in the country.
