EU urges Canada to abolish Czech visa rules

July 14 2009 by Mark Johnstone

EU backs Czech in Canada visa battle

Canadians could face visa restrictions from EU member countries if the Canadian government does not lift new Canadian visa requirements for Czech nationals.

EU spokesperson Michele Cercone issued a statement stating the European Commission "regrets" the Canadian visa ruling and would be in talks with Canadian officials in the near future about overturning the decision.

Cercone said: "We expect the measures introduced by Canada to be temporary, and we hope that full visa-free travel between the EU and Canada is re-established soon."

The latest reaction to the Canada visa battle with the Czech Republic comes after Czech Premier Jan Fischer said he would ask the EU to urge Canada to drop the visa requirement for visiting Czech citizens. Fischer also said the decision was wrong and one-sided.

And the Czech government threatened to impose visa restrictions on Canadians, while recalling its ambassador to Canada in protest.

Czech nationals were last required to have visas when moving to Canada prior to 2007.

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