The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said last month after talks with his German counterpart, Thomas de Maizière, that the two countries wanted «
a European ESTA, like that in the US, Canada and Australia».
A scheme being debated by the executive body of the
European Union suggests the 26 - nation Schengen zone, which does not include the UK, could operate a visa programme comparable to the United States»
ESTA scheme, according to the Guardian.