BRUSSELS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Friday welcomed U.S. President George W. Bush's announcement that six European Union (EU) member states have been added to the list of countries whose citizens can travel visa-free to the United States.

    The six EU countries are: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. South Korea was also given this privilege together with the six.

    In about a month, citizens of the seven countries can travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa, Bush announced on Friday.

    European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, who is responsible for justice and security affairs, welcomed the move.

    "It is a significant further step on the path to full visa-free reciprocity between the EU and the USA. The close ties between the EU and the USA will be further strengthened by this move toward secure, visa-free travel across the Atlantic," he said.

    Barrot said the commission, the executive body of the EU, will seek to secure the same treatment for the remaining six EU member states -- Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Poland, and Romania.

    Currently U.S. citizens do not need a visa in their visits to all EU countries. But Washington refuses to reciprocate with all EU nations.