Czech Republic hits back at re-imposition of Canadian visas
The Czech Republic has hit back at Canada’s reintroduction of visas on its
citizens within hours of the move being announced by Ottawa. In reply,
Prague has imposed visas on Canadian diplomats and is now seeking tougher
measures from Brussels and EU states. The incident marks a sudden souring in
normally friendly relations.
Canada’s step had been talked
about for weeks. But the Czech side appeared to believe that top level last
minute talks and the backing of the European Union had at least forced
Ottawa to think again about reintroducing visas after a two year visa free
regime.
The shock and anger in Prague was therefore almost palpable after Canada’s
decision was announced on Monday night. Caretaker Prime Minister Jan
Fischer announced the rapid Czech reply to Ottawa following a special
meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday morning.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced requirements for all
holders of Canadian diplomatic and service passports. In accord with the
government’s decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will launch the
so-called solidarity process and will notify the European Commission that
Canada has introduced visa requirements for the Czech Republic and the
European Commission should within three months propose what steps should be
taken towards Canada.”
Prague has already spelled out that it wants Brussels and fellow EU states
to take the tit-for-tat step of imposing visa obligations on all Canadians
who visit the EU. Failing this, the Czechs say they will feel within their
rights to go it alone and impose visa requirements on Canadians by
themselves.
In his news conference, Prime Minister Fischer described
Canada’s visa reintroduction as unjust and unhelpful and underlined the
normally friendly relations between the two countries. Mr Fischer argued
as well that the main problem behind the visa reintroduction – the surge of
Czech Roma seeking asylum in the country appeared to be easing. The number
of Czech asylum applications in Canada was 25 percent lower in June
compared with May.
Canadian ambassador in Prague, Michael Calcott, said the Czechs were
warned well in advance that visas were going to be reintroduced.
“The surprise factor is a bit of a surprise to me if you like. Our
minister for citizenship and immigration, Jason Kenney, was here on June
28 to 30 and met with minister Kohout, minister Pecina and minister Kocáb
and the prime minister. And on June 29 he informed all of them that the
decision was made by the Canadian government to impose the visa and that
it was not for negotiation. He was simply informing them that the visa
would be imposed.”
The imposition of visa requirements comes at the height of the summer
tourist season. Around 4,000 Czechs a month normally travel to Canada at
this time. The situation for them is further complicated by the fact that
Canada has closed its consular section in Prague and Czech tourists will
now be forced to go to Vienna for visas.
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The Czech Republic has hit back at Canada’s reintroduction of visas on its
citizens within hours of the move being announced by Ottawa. In reply,
Prague has imposed visas on Canadian diplomats and is now seeking tougher
measures from Brussels and EU states. The incident marks a sudden souring in
normally friendly relations.
In his news conference, Prime Minister Fischer described
Canada’s visa reintroduction as unjust and unhelpful and underlined the
normally friendly relations between the two countries. Mr Fischer argued
as well that the main problem behind the visa reintroduction – the surge of
Czech Roma seeking asylum in the country appeared to be easing. The number
of Czech asylum applications in Canada was 25 percent lower in June
compared with May.
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