Countries to enhance airport security

WASHINGTON, March 18 (UPI) -- Officials from Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania announced agreements to enhance security measures for future visa-free travel to the United States.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security entered into a memorandum of understanding with top officials from the three countries to establish enhancements to security under U.S. visa waiver program guidelines. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff signed the security agreements with Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, Robert Kalinak, Slovak minister of the interior, and Lithuanian Ambassador Audrius Bruzga, the Department of Homeland Security reported.

"I applaud Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania for their leadership on these enhanced security measures, and I look forward to the day when their citizens can travel to the United States without a visa," Chertoff said in a statement.

"In today's interconnected world, facilitating travel between partner nations with a common focus on security is not only beneficial, it's imperative. We're fortunate to have strong ties with each of these countries, and with the European Union. As we move forward with other aspiring allies toward visa free travel, we will also continue to collaborate with the European Union, especially in areas where it has unique legal authority."

The security enhancements outlined for visa-free travel to the United States include an electronic system of travel authorization for air passengers that will be established by the DHS for online passenger information to generate travel authorizations.

Under the agreement Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania security officials will be required to allow air marshals on certain flights heading to the United States among other increased security measures including more efficient reporting of lost and stolen passports.