04/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - The agreements on the simplification of visa-issuing procedures between the EU and Russia and on the re-admission of illegal immigrants entered into force on Friday 1 June. Visa formalities have been simplified for several categories of the population (diplomats, business men and women, journalists, scientists, students and pupils, athletes etc). The agreement covers 24 European countries, but not the United Kingdom, Ireland or Denmark, which negotiate separately with Russia. Visas allowing Russians to enter the EU will still cost 35 EUR. The agreement on re-admissions is also applicable, even though provisions on the re-admission of third-country nationals will enter into force only after a transition period of three years (EUROPE 9411). (bc)