The European Union signed on Friday an agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Montenegro on visa facilitation, making it easier for the citizens of the three western Balkan countries to acquire EU visas.

European Commission vice-president Franco Frattini and the Interior Ministers of the three countries signed the deal at a ceremony in Zagreb.

Macedonia, which has completed talks, and Serbia, who is in the final stages of negotiation, are expected to sign similar agreements in the near future.

Under the terms of the agreements, visa costs were cut to EUR 35, from EUR 60, while some categories of applicants will benefit from free visas and others will benefit from simplified visa requirements.

The agreements are part of EU's strategy to encourage reforms in western Balkan countries, especially in the areas of strengthening the rule of law, fighting organised crime and corruption, and increasing their administrative capacity in border control.

The visa facilitation agreements should enter into force before the end of the year.

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