The EU has granted visa-free travel to 50 million Ukrainians and Georgians.
Officials said the deal had been struck to end an internal EU dispute that had been holding up the promised measures.
Late-night talks involving EU member states and the European Parliament had reached a compromise on the terms of a mechanism which can be used to suspend the visa-free schemes in emergencies.
Earlier this week, the head of the European Council said the EU was putting its credibility and reputation at risk by letting internal political wrangling stall the promised easing of visa requirements.
