Brussels, 15/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - Eight months after the beginning of negotiations, Moldova and the European Union signed a number of agreements on 10 October in Brussels, on simplifying the visa and readmission system. The more flexible agreement will make the visa system easier for Moldavians to obtain short term visas (three months) for the EU. The United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark will not be participating in this agreement. According to the new agreement, costs for processing the dossier for obtaining visas will fall from €60 to €35. Certain categories of visa requests will be totally free: members of a Moldavian's family legally residing in the EU; businessmen; officials; lorry drivers; researchers; sports men and women; students; journalists and the disabled etc. These different categories will also benefit from more simple documentation for making visa requests. A multiple entry visa is planned for periods longer than 5 years for officials, journalists, businessmen and family members. Those holding a diplomatic passport will not need visas. The readmission agreement will cover the stateless and illegal immigrants whether they are from the EU, Moldova or a third country. This defines obligations and procedures to follow when sending back those illegally residing on territories covered by the agreement. After the planned ratification in November 2007, the agreement is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2008. (B.C.)