3 new EU countries approve visa-free US travel

Following meetings between the United States and the European concerning the new open skies agreement and visa waiver programs for American and European travellers alike, at least three of the EU’s newest members have made it clear they wish to make deals with the US towards visa free travel.

Preliminary deals have already been signed by the Czech Republic, Latvia and Estonia, with the latest three nations being Hungary, Lithuania and Slovakia. The problem comes when the new nations begin to negotiate deals directly with the United States, where EU officials say they must go through them.

US Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff said that if all goes smoothly, the first visaless citizens could be shuffling back and forth by the end of the year. Another sticking point in the negotiations are the US calls for marshals begin present on planes and demands for passenger information that many Europeans find to be invasive.