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 The European Commission will debate the issue, prompted by U.S.
and Canadian refusals to waive their visa requirements for holders
of some EU member states' passports, at a meeting next Tuesday. That
is just over a week before U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in
Europe on a visit that will include discussions on trade.
"A political debate and decision is obviously needed on such an
important issue. But there is a real risk that the EU would move
towards visas for the two," an EU source said.
Washington and Ottawa both demand visas before traveling for
Romanians and Bulgarians, whose states joined the EU in 2007. The
United States also excludes Croatians, Cypriots and Poles from a
visa waiver scheme offered to other EU citizens.
Europe's Schengen area, comprising 26 states, most of which are in
the 28-member EU, has a common visa system. Poland is a member of
Schengen, and the other four states are due to join.
Trade negotiations between Brussels and Washington are at a crucial
point since both sides believe their transatlantic agreement, known
as TTIP, stands a better chance of passing before President Barack
Obama leaves the White House in January.
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Obama is due to visit Britain before meeting German Chancellor
Angela Merkel at a trade fair in Hanover on April 24.
(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Alastair Macdonald and
Kevin Liffey)
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