Russia and the European Union plan to sign an agreement on easing visa regulations by the end of May, 2005, before or during an EU-Russian summit planned for May 25 in Sochi.

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin ordered the foreign ministry to sign the agreement on a simplified visa regime on behalf of the Russian Federation.

The agreement aims to relax EU-Russia visa requirements for certain categories of people, such as students, researches, politicians and businessmen.

“Our intention is that the two agreements will enter into force by the end of the year,” EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini said. “Our final goal is a visa free regime between Russia and the European Union, but it is a long term goal,” Frattini said.

Sources: http://www.times.spb.ru/ , http://en.rian.ru/