Hungary signs deal with US over exchange of terror information

Hungary and the United States have signed an agreement on the bilateral exchange of personal data on individuals suspected of being terrorists, writes FigyelőNet, based on a report by state newswire MTI. The Tuesday agreement is part of negotiations on visa exemption for Hungarian citizens wishing to travel to the U.S.

The document was signed by György Szilvásy, minister in charge of secret services, and April H. Foley, U.S. ambassador to Hungary, in Budapest. The agreement follows the recent sighing of a similar arrangement between the U.S. and Germany.

The visa negotiations between Hungary and the U.S. are expected to close before the end of the month, and the bill related to the agreement discussed by Parliament before the end of the spring season. This means Hungary can join the program at the end of this year or early next year.

Hungary will be able to join the visa-free program after the United States constructs its security systems and a bilateral, four to five-step implementation package is created. The conditions include that the rate of rejected visa applications by Hungarian citizens is less than 10%.

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