BRUSSELS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The European Union's plan to almost double its visa fees have come under severe fire from central and eastern European countries, even as the EU justice and interior ministers meet on Thursday to endorse it.

    The ministers are expected to discuss the price hike -- from 35 to 60 euros (from 43.47 to 74.52 U.S. dollars) -- during a two-day meeting in Luxembourg.

    The idea was initiated by France on the grounds of higher administrative costs after introducing new security technology at EU borders. Supporters of the hike argued that the current cost was not sufficient to cover new visa technology such as biometrics and EU identity databases.

    By coincidence, the ministerial meeting is also discussing closer border cooperation with the Balkan countries.

    The EU's Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini voiced his concern on Wednesday over higher visa fees. He said while it was acceptable to recoup costs, increases should be proportionate and not indiscriminate.

    The Policy Association for an Open Society (PASOS), representing 26 policy think-tanks in central and eastern Europe and central Asia, criticized the move to raise visa prices.

    "Higher visa fees would make no difference to human trafficking and cross-border criminal activity but would hit hard ordinary citizens on average incomes in the Western Balkans, in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova -- countries that the European Neighborhood Policy explicitly seeks to engage in closer cooperation," the group said in a statement.

    "The impact of higher visa fees on cross-border trade and family ties would be devastating, as to ordinary citizens, 60 euros (74.52 dollars) amounts to one-third of the average monthly net wages in Serbia and Montenegro, or half the average monthly wage in Ukraine," it said.

    The European Movement in Serbia, in cooperation with other European Movements in the Western Balkans, also protested the hike.

    "The possible rise of visa fees will send a negative message to all citizens in the region. Instead of increased freedom of movement between the region and the EU, this will prove another step towards isolation," the organization said in a statement.

    The EU's Austrian President said last week that the EU was to approve a hike in visa fees, for transit and stays of up to three months, to 60 euros (74.52 dollars), but would negotiate exemptions with neighboring countries.

    The rise will come into effect from the beginning of next year in all EU countries except Britain and Ireland, which set their own fees.

    However EU officials said it would not apply to Russia. In addition, Ukraine and the Western Balkan countries may get a year's delay to negotiate deals to keep the fees at 35 euros (43.47 dollars).

    The Luxembourg ministerial meeting is also expected to grant visa exemptions for school children, students and researchers. Enditem