EU threatens visa requirement for US diplomats

Brussels: The European Commission plans to propose forcing US diplomats to apply for visas to travel to the European Union from January 1, 2009 unless Washington grants citizens of all EU states visa-free entry.

"No tangible progress has been made regarding the United States despite all efforts of the Commission and individual member states," the EU executive said on Wednesday.

Washington's refusal to extend its visa waiver systematically to all EU newcomers causes resentment in countries that are among the most loyal to the US.

Citizens of 12 EU member states continue to require a visa when travelling to the US. Older EU states belong to the US visa waiver programme, which allows their citizens to travel without visas.

The Bush administration decided to sign separate visa deals with several ex-communist central European countries earlier this year, which sparked tensions within the bloc and across the Atlantic.

The US has said it plans to allow some new EU states in its visa free programme this year. EU's threat is meant to pressure the US to deliver on this announcement.