MOSCOW, April 20 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and the European Union will sign agreements on easing visa regulations and on readmission of illegal immigrants at a summit at a Black Sea resort May 25, the president's aide said Thursday.
"In Sochi on May 25, we plan to sign two agreements, which are already ready," said Sergei Yastrzhembsky, who oversees relations with the EU.
The agreements would see Russia and the EU relax visa requirements for certain categories of people for stays of up to 90 days, and take additional measures to prevent illegal migration.
Visa restrictions would be eased for Russian and EU students, researchers, politicians, diplomats, and businessmen, journalists, athletes, long-distance freight drivers, and some others.
Russia would pledge to readmit Russian citizens and citizens of third countries who entered the EU illegally from Russia. Moscow had previously refused to readmit foreign citizens for fear they would stay in the country.
The concession would be a major one, as under the Schengen rules on visas that apply to many EU countries, readmission is mandatory if the visa regime is abolished.
The visa problem has been an issue since President Vladimir Putin called in 2001 for the establishment of visa free travels between Russia and the EU.
The accords also are in line with Russia and the EU's plans to create four common spaces in the spheres of economy; freedom, security and justice; external security; and science and culture; agreed on in St. Petersburg in 2003.
