At its meeting on March 2, 2006, the RF Government approved the draft agreement on visa facilitation between Russia and the European Union. This was made public by the Press Service of the Cabinet of Ministers. The agreement provides for facilitation of the procedure and terms of issuance of the single entry visas with up to three-month validity period and multiple visas for certain categories of individuals. The visa formalities will be processed on the basis of direct applications of the receiving organizations, with no invitation required, for the members of official delegations, businessmen, journalists, students and pupils taking part in exchange programs, as well as participants of international sporting events, and close relatives of the individuals legally staying in the state-party territories. For those possessing a diplomatic passport, there is a provision for visa-free regime for the up to three-month trips within a six-month period. The agreement is expected to come to force in the second quarter of 2006. Information provided by RosbusinessConsulting