Brussels, 07/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission intends to adopt, on Tuesday 11 March, a European mandate with a view to negotiating American security requirements linked to the US Visa Waiver Program (EUROPE 9617). The subject stepped up the pace on Thursday 6 March, during the visit to Brussels of the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She referred to a note sent by Washington to the Member States, in which the American administration expressed its preference to negotiate on the subject bilaterally. This is not the EU's wish, particularly as negotiations affect the Community visa policy. The ambassadors of the EU met on Friday 7 March to set the agenda for the next days. On Monday, discussion will be held on the subject between the Foreign Affairs Ministers over lunch. After the adoption of the mandate, on Tuesday, and its presentation from the Commission to the Council, Coreper will meet for an extraordinary session on Wednesday to examine the content of this mandate. The objective is that the Europeans reach a united view before the ministerial troika to be held on Thursday 13 March in Slovenia. However, two countries intend to sign a protocol agreement with the United States next week: Estonia and Latvia. (B.C.)