The new Slovak government has scrapped visa requirements for British and Irish citizens, which had been introduced by the former nationalist government of Vladimir Meciar.

He had introduced the measure in retaliation for Britain imposing visa requirements on Slovak citizens.

Britain took the step after about two-thousand Slovak gypsies entered Britain seeking asylum.

But the Slovak Foreign Minister, Eduard Kucan said Mr Meciar's response had only complicated the situation and the government now wanted negotiations with Britain on bilateral visa-free relations.