Brussels, 24/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Australian government recently made a further step towards full reciprocity in the visa system between Australia and EU Member States. Since 16 June 2008, citizens of three new EU Member States, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania, have been able to take part in the e-visa system for Australia (called e676), explains the Australian government in a press release. e-visas are currently required for people from eleven Member States (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria). All eleven will now benefit from the 'autogrant' facility. People from the 'old' EU15 Member States and Malta (not including Ireland and the United Kingdom) can travel to Australia for up to three months with a simple travel permit known as an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), but do not require a visa. Without giving any further details, the Australian government said it was planning to introduce a single platform known as eVisitors in October 2008 to ensure people from all EU Member States are treated in the same manner. In its most recent report on visa reciprocity, the European Commission hoped the system could be up and running in the middle of 2008 (see EUROPE 9503). The Commission will give its verdict on this matter in July 2008 when it publishes its 4th report on visa reciprocity with countries outside the EU. (B.C.)