Brussels, 28/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 28 April, the European Union signed visa waver agreements with Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mauritius, Barbados and Seychelles so their nationals can travel to Europe without visas. European citizens can also travel to these paradise islands on holidays without visas. The agreements were signed in Brussels by the Czech presidency of the EU and European Commissioner Jacques Barrrot, together with representatives from the six countries. Mr Barrot declared, “I hope the visa-free travel will contribute to the improvement of people to people contacts between the citizens of both parties". The visa waver will allow around 800,000 Europeans to travel to these countries every year, as well as the nationals from these areas to go to the EU for stays not exceeding three months for non-business reasons. The agreements do not apply to Ireland or the United Kingdom, which do not apply common rules on visas, or to French and Dutch overseas territories. The agreements, on the other hand, apply to Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus and the countries belonging to the Schengen area (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). (B.C./trans/rh)