Brussels, 05/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - Since 1 July this year, Australia has applied a free visa policy for short stays for all states that joined the EU in 2004 and for the two new entrants, Bulgaria and Romania. Nationals of the 15 former member states (plus Malta, but not Ireland or the United Kingdom) may go to Australia for a period of no more than three months using a simple electronic authorisation known as the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter the country, without the need for a visa. “These changes will foster a closer relationship between Australia and EU countries and will vastly improve client service for travellers from the EU”, declared Teresa Gambaro, Australian vice-minister for immigration and citizenship. For all nationals of the new member states, there will no longer be a fee for electronic tourist visas of up to three months or for short stay business visas. The electronic visa (e676) is currently required for nationals of nine member states (Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia). From these, the nationals of Estonia, Latvia and Slovenia benefit from the “autogrant facility”. “This initiative is an important step in the Australian government's commitment to ensuring visa reciprocity with the EU and treating all member states equally”, said Ms Gambaro. “It will also ensure that Australian citizens continue to enjoy fee free visas to the European Union”, she added. Australia is bargaining on complete restoration of equal treatment between citizens of all member states by 2008 with the introduction of the new single “eVisitors” platform that will merge the ETA and e676 issuance mechanisms. The latest report on visa reciprocity with third countries dates back to October 2006. Initially, the Commission had the intention to present a new report by 31 March 2007. Commissioner Franco Frattini decided to postpone publication of a new report until September. To publish such a report right now would be “counterproductive” as “no further progress has been made with two of the most problematic countries: Canada and the United States”, he said in a letter written in mid-June to the German interior minister, Wolfgang Schäuble. (bc)