Luxembourg, 20/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - In Luxembourg on Thursday, the Council formally approved the agreements between the EU and Russia facilitating delivery and renewal of visas for Russians and on the readmission of illegal immigrants. The two measures had been approved two days before the discussions intended to result in a strategic cooperation agreement between the EU and Moscow. Once ratified, the agreements will come into force on 1 June. Provisions on the readmission of illegal immigrants expelled from the EU after entering through Russia will come into effect after a three-year transition period. The readmission agreement is one of the most flexible hitherto signed by the EU. The visa agreement seeks to simplify the visa delivery procedure (delivery is to be within three months) on a reciprocal basis. The cost of visas for Russian nationals as a whole will fall to €35 (since 1 January 2007, the Schengen visa has cost €60); there will be visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic passports; there will be simplification of the supporting documentation required, and visas will be free for certain categories of travellers, such as business people, journalists, students and members of government or parliament, but not for MEPs. The two agreements were signed in May 2006 (see EUROPE 9200). The 27 EU member states agreed, too, to set up a joint information and warning system regarding the expulsion by a member state of third country nationals for carrying out terrorist activities or for inciting discrimination, hatred or violence towards specific individuals or groups of individuals. Still in security, the Council gave general backing to the Commission proposals on protecting critical infrastructure. (bc)