Slovak president to visit U.S. on visa waiver program - World News

PRAGUE, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic will visit the United States to talk about Slovakia's admission to the U.S. visa waiver program with U.S. President George W. Bush next week, according to the report reaching here from Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, on Wednesday.

"I'm convinced that on my return home I'll bring (Washington's) confirmation that the (unilateral U.S.) visa requirements will be abolished," Gasparovic told journalists in Bratislava.

Even in case the visa requirements for Slovaks are lifted, Slovaks will have to fill in an e-questionnaire and use passports with biometrical data to enter the United States, according to the report.

On his trip to the United States, Gasparovic will be accompanied by Interior Minister Robert Kalinak, Foreign Minister Jan Kubis and Culture Minister Marek Madaric.

Gasparovic is to leave for the United States next Tuesday. His meeting with Bush is scheduled for Thursday.

Apart from Washington, Gasparovic is to visit Pittsburgh where he is to meet Slovak expatriates.