BRUSSELS, Sept 18, 2007 (AFP) - The European Union signed an accord Tuesday with five Balkans countries easing visa restrictions for people who want to visit EU countries for stays of less than three months.

The accords with Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia will apply to 25 of the EU's 27 countries -- Britain and Ireland are excluded -- plus Norway and Iceland.

Under the agreements, visa prices will drop to 35 euros (49 dollars) from 60 euros.

Proceedings for business people, journalists and students will also be streamlined.

BRUSSELS, Sept 14, 2007 (AFP) - The European Commission will threaten Canada with possible retaliatory measures if it fails to lift visa requirements on some EU member nations, according to a report to be made public Tuesday.

'The Commission urges Canada to show some tangible progress by lifting the visa requirement for one or two member states by the end of this year, otherwise appropriate measures could be proposed,' it said.

PARIS, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - French rights groups and left-wing politicians Thursday slammed an amendment to a new immigration bill that would introduce DNA testing for would-be immigrants seeking to join their relatives in France.

The National Assembly's legislative committee Wednesday approved an amendment that would offer long-term visa applicants the option of a DNA test to prove their family ties.

HANOI, Aug 20, 2007 (AFP) - Vietnam will grant visa exemptions to its overseas emigres, or Viet Kieu, and their spouses and children from September 1, state media reported Monday in the communist country.

The move is part of Vietnam's drive for closer links with its diaspora of nearly three million people and tap their expertise and wealth to boost the developing country's rapid economic growth.