Senior Israel and American officials have signed an agreement that will expedite and ease entry for Israelis who regularly visit the United States, the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement published Monday.

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman met Sunday in Jerusalem with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for the official signing, which also includes mutual provisions on the Israeli side to hasten entry for American visitors, according to the ministry.

The so-called U.S. Global Entry program is a specially-designed computer and customs pass-through program that aims to make entering the United States for business travellers, diplomats and frequent visitors less onerous, particularly since tightened security protocols were instituted after the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

"There are 1.5 million travelers between the two countries every year," Napolitano was quoted by the Times of Israel as saying at the ceremony, "It is important that the wait (at border control) be as short and as comfortable as possible."

"This process reflects the close cooperation between Israel and the United States," Lieberman said, "I hope this agreement will in the future make things as easy for as many people as possible."

Lieberman said an inter-ministerial team will soon head to the United States to learn how to implement the customs program.