Estonian-US visa memorandum signed

12.03.2008

TALLINN, Mar 12, BNS - Estonia and the United States signed today a memorandum of mutual understanding concerning visa-free travel.

The document was inked by Interior Minister Juri Pihl and US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Both ministers expressed after the signing the hope that visa-free travel to the United States for Estonian citizens will be implemented within this year.

They confirmed that bilateral visa talks are conducted in keeping with the interests of the European Union and they are not aimed at dividing the Union.

Pihl said that in visa talks with the United States Estonia intends to observe the principles outlined by the European Union last week.

The memorandum signed today contains a provision committing the United States to honoring Estonia's obligations to the EU, the minister observed.

Estonia has been in talks with the United States over lifting of the visa requirement since mid-1990s, Pihl said.

"Dropping the visa requirement has besides easing travel for Estonian citizens a symbolic meaning. We thereby emphasize our common values and the desire for cooperation between the United States and Estonia," Pihl said.

Chertoff observed that the United States plans to open talks over memorandums on additional travel security arrangements with all EU states, including those that are already part of the visa waiver program.

He declined to comment on how long the process could take and how countries already enjoying visa-free access to US territory look on the implementation of additional security measures.

Chertoff did not agree with the claim that bilateral deals between the United States and EU countries undermine EU unity. "We take an individual approach to each country," he said.

Pihl in turn added that he would like to see all EU states enjoy visa-free travel to the United States but that other EU countries need to make more of an effort to achieve this goal.

By signing the memorandum the two countries confirmed their will to deepen cooperation among their law and order enforcement agencies and tighten measures in fields related to readmission of citizens and air and travel document security.

The exact form and details of cooperation will be agreed upon in the memorandum implementation agreements that will be concluded in coming months.

The United States is going to make evaluation visits to assess whether Estonia meets the security criteria. The first such inspection is scheduled for April and US officials will during it examine the work of the border service and the Citizenship and Migration Board. In accordance with US law, such visits are made every two years to all countries that have joined the visa waiver program.

The memorandum of understanding paves the way to Estonia's accession to the visa waiver program.

A similar deal has already been signed by the Czech Republic, Latvia is signing an agreement today and Hungary is to follow suit soon.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8862, sise@bns.ee