20/02/2019 (Agence Europe) – The permanent representatives of the Member States to the EU finally approved, on Wednesday 20 February, the agreement reached with the European Parliament on European visa rules (see EUROPE 12183). They were due to do so on 13 February, but Member States had raised final requests (see EUROPE 12193). The aim was to make more explicit in the text the duration of the positive visa policy counterparts that third countries cooperating well with the EU can receive on the return of their nationals in an irregular situation. These positive benefits (reduction of visa fees, faster processing of visa applications) can be granted to a third country for a renewable period of one year. This duration was implicit, but several countries wanted to write it down in black and white, according to one source. The Parliament agreed with this, paving the way for this confirmation to be made to Coreper. (SP)