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Release Date: March 17, 2008
Washington, D.C.
Secretary Chertoff: Now we're going to sign.
Congratulations. Let's make a few remarks.
Well, good afternoon. I am delighted to welcome the Minister of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, Robert Kaliňák, to be here to sign a memorandum of understanding that is a critical milestone in the process of being able to admit the Slovak Republic to the Visa Waiver Program.
As you know, citizens of the Slovak Republic and its predecessor country wanted to be admitted to this program for a long period of time. We have worked very hard to advance the day when this can happen. The President, as you know, worked with Congress to get the necessary legislation that would give us a little bit more flexibility, and at the same time make sure that we are enhancing our security with respect to international travel.
This is a big step. It's a big step not only for the people of both countries and for the friendship that this will strengthen, but it's a big step because it takes us in the direction of a world in which we can have freer and easier travel for those people who are legitimate tourists and travelers, and at the same time better security against those few people who are criminals or terrorists. So this is what we would call a win-win for everybody.
I'm delighted to say that the Slovak Republic joins the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia, who also signed these agreements in the last week. Of course there's more work to be done. We have to do some work on our side to put our electronic system of travel authorization fully online, which should happen by this fall. We have some implementation work to be done. But I think there's every possibility that we may see citizens from the Slovak Republic coming into this country without visas later this year, which I think will be a very, very, very, very good day. So we will move forward with this.
Let me also remind everybody that we are respectful -- both countries are respectful of the role of the European Union in this process. We know there are certain types of issues that can only be resolved by the EU, and, of course, in the process of implementation of this agreement, we will respect that prerogative of the EU.
So this is something which everybody ought to be happy with. And we look forward to moving forward with this process.
Minister.
Minister Kaliňák: (As translated.) The Slovak Republic is grateful to receive the opportunity we got today. I would like to thank the government of the United States and especially Secretary Chertoff for creating the conditions that gave us a realistic base for travel to this country. We worked hard to achieve this confidence with the United States government. At this time we would like to use this positive atmosphere to facilitate the entry of Slovakia into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program as soon as possible.
Both of our countries agreed in the memorandum of understanding to respect national law as well as the international agreement, including obligations of the Slovak Republic towards the European Union.
The Slovak Republic is ready to fulfill all the security criteria, after which there should be nothing preventing our American partners from including Slovakia with the Visa Waiver Program, and thus achieving balance in regards of this issue.
The signing of the memorandum is another proof that Slovakia is a credible and respected country throughout the world.
Thank you again.
Secretary Chertoff: Thank you.
I guess we'll take some questions. If you identify where you're from, and then you'll have to, if it's -- at least for me, if it's not in English, we will have to get it translated.
Yes.
Question: Mr. Secretary Chertoff, can you explain, please, the difference for Slovak citizens between the recent visa system and the new situation after signing of this memorandum and all other criteria to get into this Visa Waiver Program? In the recent situation, Slovak citizens have to ask for a visa, which can be given or denied. After -- in this new system, we don't have to ask for an electronically permission. So what is the difference between the visa and permission, which can be also denied?
Secretary Chertoff: Well, the main difference, of course, is that under the current visa system, not only do you have to apply for permission in advance, but you have to go for an interview, which is often time-consuming and maybe somewhat inconvenient. And in this circumstance, like everybody else, you can submit your information online on a computer, which currently we do by paper and in the vast majority of cases you'll be authorized to come. There won't be any need for an interview or anything of that sort.
One thing I should emphasize is the rule that we will have for Slovak citizens will be identical to that for all Europeans. It will be true for people, whether they're from Eastern Europe or Western Europe, or any other place that's in the Visa Waiver Program. So it will be much more efficient, it will be quicker, it will be more convenient for the vast majority of travelers.
Question: (In Slovakian.)
Minister Kaliňák: (In Slovakian.)
Question: First, I have a question for both gentlemen, and I will ask in English. At the moment, the rate of refusal of visa in the Slovak Republic is around 12 percent. Do you see that as a possible problem, you know, now?
Secretary Chertoff: I think last year was -- may have been around 12 percent. I believe this year it's actually a lower rate. As you know, under the new legislation, 10 percent is the requirement, or below. So I think we're certainly within striking distance. It may be this year it's actually at a lower rate, but obviously we'll have to comply with the law before we can fully engage the program.
Minister Kalinak: We are trying to lower the rate at this time. But as Mr. Secretary Chertoff already mentioned, the amount, as you mentioned, 12 percent, is pretty accurate, but we will get the final numbers around June this year. And I believe we will fulfill this condition as we already did with other conditions that were given by the Visa Waiver Program.
Question: And just a follow-up question for Secretary Chertoff, I know it's very difficult to say, but on the 28th of October, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic will celebrate independence. Do you think that the Visa Waiver Program could be possibly in place by that time?
Secretary Chertoff: Well, it would certainly be nice, but I can't -- I mean, I can't make a promise about a specific deadline. But you -- you know, certainly it's something we can aim at. But we have to make sure, of course, that all the legal requirements are met. But congratulations in advance.
Minister Kaliňák: It would be a nice gift.
Secretary Chertoff: Yes.
Question: Mr. Secretary, you mentioned that there were certain issues that only the EU can resolve. Could you elaborate a little bit more on what those issues are? And would a lack of agreement on some of those issues derail this current negotiation?
Secretary Chertoff: I think that most of the issues that need to be resolved with the individual member states before admission lie within their authority and their domain. If we, for example, were to decide we want to try to get information from an EU database, then we would have to negotiate with the EU. I don't know that that would be a precondition for the admission of these countries under the law, and even if it were, I think we could probably resolve it. But the vast majority of what we are requiring actually falls within the competency of the individual nation states.
Question: Thank you.
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This page was last reviewed/modified on March 17, 2008.