Russia and the European Union have reached preliminary agreements on further facilitation of visa regulations, Russia's EU envoy Vladimir Chizhov said.

“We have reached consent and a relevant draft agreement on amendments to the acting agreement on visa facilitation is pending an interdepartmental consideration,” Chizhov said.

Russia and the EU have already reached an agreement on long-term visas for up to five years. The EU currently issues short-term visas from several days to one year, although the Schengen Agreement allows five-year visas.

Five-year visas will not be issued immediately but only after a person has received a short-term visa and proved his responsibility.