Brussels, 24/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Union nurtures the hope of concluding talks as soon as possible on a visa waiver agreement with Brazil for short stays. On Wednesday 23 September, member state permanent representatives with the EU reviewed the state of progress of talks conducted between the European Commission and the Brazilian authorities. The latter recently put an offer to the Commission, and the Commission is now examining its content. Nationals of four member states - namely Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Malta - are still subject to visa requirements for entry into Brazil. This is above all why the EU Council agreed, in April 2008, to give the Commission authorisation to begin negotiation with Brazil on behalf of the Union. The Commission trusts talks may be concluded in the very near future but there is nothing to point to this being the case before the EU-Brazil summit, scheduled to be held in Stockholm on 6 October. (B.C./transl.jl)