Latvia welcomes U.S. President Bush's support for visa-free regime between Latvia and the United States [28 Nov 2006]

The Latvian Foreign Ministry expresses its high appreciation of U.S. President George Bush's commitment to review the criteria for eased visa procedures between the United States and Latvia.

The Foreign Ministry considers Latvia to be ready to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme; a view supported by Latvia's progress in fulfilling the criteria of the Schengen Agreement.

The Ministry calls on the residents of Latvia to comply with the regulations for entry and stay set by the United States.

The citizens of EU member states must have the opportunity to travel to the United States without a visa. Since 1996, Latvia has observed a visa-free regime for U.S. citizens, and invites the U.S. to observe the principle of reciprocity in this area.

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