Brussels, 01/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Washington on Monday 29 September, Estonia and the United States signed an enhanced cooperation agreement to prevent and combat serious crime, thereby opening the way for Estonia to join the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The agreement allows reciprocal access to fingerprint databases, under the “hit/no hit” procedure. Thus, fingerprint data provided can in no way provide direct identification of the person concerned. It is only after legal proceedings have been opened that personal information on those suspected of terrorism or crime can be sent. An automatic comparison of DNA profiles is also possible as part of criminal investigations. After Latvia, Estonia becomes the second country to have finalised such an agreement which should lead to its citizens being able to travel freely to the United States, without requiring a visa, by the end of the year (see EUROPE 9744 and 9709). (B.C./transl.rt)