Greece Focuses On U.S. Visa Waiver Program

Greece’s long-awaited inclusion in the U.S. visa waiver program is expected to take place by the end of the year, according to negotiations at the recent summit of the 56-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe that took place on Kerkyra.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg signed a criminal data sharing agreement on the sidelines of the OSCE summit.

According to Mr. Steinberg, the agreement would respect Greek concerns in regards to traveler’s privacy and therefore it would pave the way for Greece’s inclusion in the U.S. visa waiver program.

Greece is the only country of the original 15 nations of the European Union whose citizens require a visa to enter the United States.

The U.S. visa waiver program allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa.

Additionally, Tourism Minister Kostas Markopoulos recently held a meeting with Democrat lawmaker who represents Nevada’s 3rd Congressional district, Dina Titus, and U.S. ambassador to Greece, Daniel Speckhard.

During the meeting Mr. Markopoulos gave emphasis on the need to finally resolve the visa issue.

“This would be a development that would further improve Greek-American relations,” he said.

Other topics discussed included issues of bilateral interest with emphasis on the prospects of the further development of tourism cooperation between Greece and the U.S.

Ms. Titus, who has personal ties with Greece, claimed to be delighted with the meeting as both countries “share common democratic values, culture, tradition and the need to promote tourism between them is quite important.”