It all started when President Bush signed a law requiring tourists from Western Europe and some other countries that have a visa-free regime with the US (visa waiver program) to fill out an electronic questionnaire on the Internet before departure. This is part of a series of anti-terrorism measures taken by America. Also included is a requirement that has caused considerable discontent in Europe: to fully scan all aircraft and cargo containers headed to the United States. Moreover, this should be done at European ports. The Americans gave Europeans five years to prepare, but already the European Commission has called this requirement "excessive", believing that such an approach could affect trade between Europe and America.
True, the European Union itself began to think about tightening control over the entry of visa-free passengers when a year ago the British foiled an attempt by terrorists to hijack and direct a dozen transatlantic airliners at the United States. The new US law only fueled these thoughts.
"No final decision has been made yet, but we are also considering the idea of introducing online electronic registration for foreigners who do not need a visa to the EU, as Australia has been quite successfully doing," said European Commission spokesman Friso Roscam Abbing. But first, according to him, Europeans want to study all aspects of such an innovation. So that it does not cause significant difficulties for people wishing to come to Europe. It is not yet clear whether Brussels will force only Americans or citizens of all "visa-free" countries to register. This does not apply to those who travel with a visa, because they already fill out questionnaires in advance.
The Director General of the European Commission's department responsible for justice and home affairs, Jonathan Faull, met in Brussels with a senior US State Department official, Paul Rosenzweig, and noted the difficulties that Europeans may face. Currently, for most EU citizens, except for those from a number of countries that recently joined the Union, it is enough to simply buy a ticket to travel to the United States. Recently, the US expanded the circle of "visa-free" countries, but some EU members, such as Poland, still remain outside it. Brussels is not satisfied with this because it fundamentally emphasizes the equality of all members of the European Union.
Alexander MINEEV.
Novye Izvestia