Slovakia failed to meet one of the most important criteria for cancelling its visa requirement to enter the USA - it exceeded the 10-percent threshold of rejected visa applications, the Hospodárske Noviny daily reported on October 24.
Figures published by the USA in late September show that Slovakia exceeded this limit by two percent. But the falling number of rejections suggests that Slovakia might meet the 10-percent clause next year.
The press secretary of the US Embassy in Slovakia, Keith Hughes, said the 10-percent target was only one of many requirements. Also important is how many people return to Slovakia and do not stay in the USA illegally, he added.
However, the US side still has not confirmed this requirement. The Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry State Secretary, Diana Štrofová, told the daily that this criterion still has not been strictly set, since it is difficult to measure it. There are also some technical requirements left to be solved, such as providing information on passengers travelling to the USA.
-SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.