The United States and the Czech Republic signed a document here Tuesday, paving the way for Czech citizens traveling to the country without visas by September, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said.

After the memorandum of understanding was signed, Chertoff said he expected that the Czech Republic will be the first of a number of new countries to join the U.S. visa waiver program after the two sides conclude a deal.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, who began his two-day visit to the United States Tuesday, attended the signing ceremony.

The United States decided last year to expand its visa-waiver program for citizens from some countries.

The United States is currently negotiating with the Czech Republic and on the possible installation of a radar system in the country and 10 missile interceptors in neighboring Poland as part of a system it says is necessary to protect the United States and Europe against future attacks.

Topolanek said on Monday he is to finalize a deal on sitting an anti-missile radar on Czech soil during his stay in the United States. He is scheduled to meet U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)