JOINT EMBASSY STATEMENT RE U.S. VISA WAIVER PROGRAM MODERNIZATION August 9, 2007 The Embassies of the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia appreciate the bipartisan efforts of the U.S. Administration and Members of both chambers of Congress to modernize and expand the United States Visa Waiver Program through provisions in H.R. 1, “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007,” recently signed by President Bush. We believe that these provisions are a step forward in the right direction. Nevertheless, the legislation does not fully meet our expectations due to its reliance on visa refusal rates as a criterion for program participation. As a result, some of America’s closest allies will still be subject to artificial barriers that do not reflect their deep level of commitment and engagement in enhancing transatlantic and global security. We will continue to work for a visa policy that recognizes our common security, economic, and foreign policy goals. As members of the European Union and firm allies of the United States, we believe that success in this endeavor is a critical tool in strengthening our transatlantic alliance without differentiating between EU member states. We are committed to working with the U.S. Administration and Congress to achieve a solution that will allow for visa-free travel to the U.S. for our citizens.