No. 32/08
April 18, 2008

EUROPEAN COMMISSION AUTHORIZED TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE US ON CONDITIONS FOR ACCESS TO THE US VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

The European Union's Member States today authorized the European Commission to negotiate an agreement with the United States which spells out the conditions needed to allow citizens of all Member States visa-free travel to the United States.

"I believe that the mandate provides clear directives for the Commission to negotiate certain issues of exclusive EC competence with the US," said European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security. “On the other hand [EU] Member States will have room to negotiate bilaterally those issues falling outside the scope of the Commission's mandate. We agreed that our common goal is to ensure that all Member States are admitted in the Visa Waiver Program [VWP] as soon as possible.” 

Currently, citizens from 15 of the EU's 27 Member States can travel for short stays without a visa to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. It is a long-stated goal of the EU that all Member States be treated equally and receive visa-free access as is already the case for US citizens who can travel for short stays to all 27 EU Member States without a visa.

In August 2007, the US adopted new legislation which provides for the modernization of the Visa Waiver Program. The terms and conditions of this new legislation concern all European Union Member States whether they are already participating in the VWP or aspire to join it. The US has started implementing this VWP reform legislation and has proposed a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to EU Member States individually covering the security provisions of this new legislation. Several Member States have already signed such a MoU with the US. Others will do so in the near future. The MoU will be supplemented by implementing arrangements. Several conditions for the implementation of the VWP reform fall under the responsibility of the European Community.

Today the Council of the EU adopted a Decision to authorize the Commission, on behalf of the European Community, to open negotiations with the US on those conditions for participation in the US VWP that fall under the responsibility of the European Community. The Decision is not applicable to Ireland and the United Kingdom, as they do not take part in the common visa policy.

The Commission will open negotiations with the US at the earliest possible date to ensure that both tracks, the Community one and the national one, proceed in parallel, with the ultimate aim of all Member States taking part in the Visa Waiver Program.  

Further Contact Information:
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
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Washington, DC 20037
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766