BRUSSELS, April 18 – The European Parliament has approved a recommendation that the EU Council sign an agreement on amendments to the visa facilitation agreement between Ukraine and the EU.

A simple majority of MEPs voted for this decision in Strasbourg on Thursday.

The agreement introducing amendments to the visa facilitation agreement between Ukraine and the EU was ratified by Ukraine's parliament on March 22, and signed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on April 8.

According to the document, the simplified procedure for issuing visas applies to drivers engaged in international cargo and passenger transportation, journalists and technical staff accompanying them, participants of official exchange programs organized by the local authorities, close relatives, spouses, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren that are visiting Ukrainian citizens living in the EU member states, or EU citizens, as well as citizens that travel to the EU for medical treatment.