Brussels, 02/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, Justice Ministers adopted two draft decisions on setting up a simplified control system for people at the external borders of the EU. This mechanism should make transit through the new Member States, or from Switzerland or Liechtenstein, easier for third country nationals who are required to have a visa. The first proposal referred to third country nationals travelling on a visa delivered by a Schengen area Member State and wishing to pass through a new Member State. In this case, no more than five days should be taken to pass through the country. The second decision, which was for all Member States, proposed setting up a simplified external border control for third country nationals, carrying certain residence permits issued by Switzerland or Liechtenstein, relieving them of the requirement for a visa to travel through these countries. In April, the EP backed both texts on first reading (co-decision) (see EUROPE 9172). The two proposals are provisional since they will become obsolete once these countries join the Schengen area.