Brussels, 14/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - Following five years of negotiations, the EU and Russia, in the margins of the JHA Council of 12 October in Luxembourg, concluded two bilateral agreements to facilitate the procedures for the granting of visas and the readmission of illegal residents. This agreement “will help us to work together more effectively to combat illegal immigration”, declared Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and the Neighbourhood Policy. The agreements, once ratified, should facilitate movements between the EU and Russia by the end of next year, particularly via the enclave of Kaliningrad. The agreement on visas will simplify the procedures for the granting of visas for short stays, and also for multiple entries for lorry-drivers, business trips, students, journalists and diplomats. It provides that the decision whether or not to grant a visa should be made within ten days. The price of visas will be lowered, probably to 35 euros. The agreement specifies the obligations and procedures which must be respected by the Russian authorities and the EU Member States in the case of repatriation of illegal immigrants. The agreement concerns nationals of Russia, the EU and third countries as well as stateless persons. For third country nationals and stateless persons the readmission will only be valid after a transition period of three years. An accelerated procedure, allowing readmission in several days, will be put in place for persons questioned in common border regions. The agreement guarantees the protection of data and fundamental rights and will create a joint committee.
The EU/Russia Permanent Partnership Council held a meeting on 13 October in Luxembourg on carrying out the roadmap to implement the common area of liberty, security and justice (EUROPE 8944). There were discussions on subjects such as the fight against terrorism, cyber-crime, security of travel documents and judicial cooperation, but the European Commission wanted above all to deal with the issue of border security, which is “closely linked to the problems of drug-trafficking and organised crime”, a European source indicated. The Commission therefore asked the border agency FRONTEX to take up rapid contact with the Russians, particularly with the Russian federal border security service. A European source said that “there is a plan for FRONTEX to participate in a mission on the ground”. Such a mission would be the second of its kind following the announcement of the Commission's intention to send a FRONTEX mission to the border between Spain and Morocco (see EUROPE 9048).