Wednesday, May 11 2005 09:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: Russia and the European Union (EU) signed a historic "roadmap" agreement to boost bilateral cooperation for facilitating trade, economic and humanitarian ties and enhancing security against common threats.

President Vladimir Putin and European Union leaders signed the landmark accord, focused on joint action in areas ranging from trade to fighting terror, at a Russia-EU summit at the Kremlin, a day after Europe marked the 60th anniversary of the end of its bloodiest war.

The "roadmaps" for the "four common spaces" signed would cover economy issues and the environment; freedom, security and justice; external security; and research, education and culture.

Hailing the agreement, Putin told reporters at a joint press conference in the Kremlin "the implementation of the roadmaps would allow us to make important progress towards the construction of a united Europe, with no dividing lines".

Economic cooperation was clearly the thrust area of the cooperation agreement with both the parties underscoring the need to improve relations with each other to boost trade ties.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen organisations like the United Nations, but differed on the contentious issue of visa regulations and illegal immigrants.

While Russia sternly turned down EU's demands for taking back illegal migrants, difference of opinion surfaced on the issue of easing visa restrictions for those travelling from the former Communist nation to Europe.