Russia and Ukraine have signed an agreement relaxing border crossing regulations for the two countries' citizens living in near-border districts.
      
      "This agreement will help people maintain historical, friendly and family contacts at their convenience. They will be able to cross the border at special points. There will be a lot of such points set up," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the signing ceremony on Friday.
      
      A number of other bilateral documents, including a readmission agreement and an agreement simplifying the acquisition and termination of citizenship, may be signed soon, too, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk said.
      
      Negotiations on the readmission agreement have been virtually completed, while work on simplified citizenship rules "will be finalized in the near future," Lavrov said.
      
      By Alexander Shein