Brussels, 26/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - Tuesday's Council gave the green light to the signing of an EU/Sri Lanka agreement on the readmission of illegal immigrants. This agreement had been initialled in Brussels on 30 May 2002. Sri Lanka will agree to readmit its nationals found in an irregular situation on the territory of a Member State, and also clandestine third-country nationals in possession of a residence permit or visa issued by Sri Lanka, or if they have illegally entered Community territory via Sri Lanka. On this last eventuality, Sri Lanka is released from its obligation to readmit if the person merely transited through the international airport, or is in possession of a visa or residence permit issued by a Member State. Member States are held by the same obligations. The agreement will enter into force as soon as it has been ratified by both sides. It will not apply to Ireland or Denmark, but the latter will negotiate a similar agreement with Sri Lanka, and Norway and Iceland will do likewise. The Commission is negotiating other such readmission agreements (EUROPE of 7 November).