19/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 19 February the Commission provided assurances that it was on the same policy line as the Czech Republic on the objective of lifting the obligatory visas for visiting the US. On 18 February, Commissioner Franco Frattini met the Czech vice prime minister in charge of European affairs, Alexandr Vondra and declared, “there is no disagreement between the Commission and Czech Republic. We share the same goal that the US ensures equal treatment for all EU citizens”. In a press release, the Commissioner added that, “the two parties are determined to work towards obtaining a common position representing the will of common solidarity”. Several Czech media sources have reported the somewhat contradictory statements of Mr Vondra, according to which the latter had reaffirmed to Mr Frattini that his country was determined to sign the protocol for an agreement with the US on 27 February (EUROPE 9603). So far, discussions are continuing between the Commission and Czech Republic. One European source deplored the fact that they still did not know whether the Czechs were still going to sign the agreement. (B.C.)