Swedish EU presidency backs Czechs in visa row with Canada
The Swedish EU presidency said on Wednesday it was in favour of visa
requirements for Canadians travelling to EU member states after Canada
imposed visa requirements on Czech nationals. Swedish Migration and Asylum
Policy Minister Tobias Billstroem told the AFP news agency his country was
in favour of respecting the EU solidarity principle but said it was up to
the European Commission to handle the proposal, since the commission was
responsible for the reciprocity mechanism.
Canada imposed visas on Czech nationals on Tuesday citing the need to stave
off what it said was a steady influx of Roma asylum applicants from the
Czech Republic. Czech officials reacted to the news with anger, calling the
move “unfriendly and unaccommodating”. The Czech government has urged the EU
to take joint steps against Canada within the solidarity principle, but the
EU on Tuesday ruled out immediate action. Acting within its rights, the
Czech government has recalled the country’s ambassador to Canada for
consultations and announced plans to impose visa requirements on Canadian
diplomats and civil servants.
President Klaus says Czechs not free to make a decision on visas
Czech President Václav Klaus on Wednesday criticized the EU for curbing the
Czech Republic’s option of retaliation after Canada imposed visas on Czech
nationals. He said the difference between the Czech Republic and Canada in
this dispute was that Ottawa was free to make its own decisions while
Prague’s hands were tied. It is Brussels that will decide for us, the
president said. Mr. Klaus is a fierce opponent of the Lisbon treaty which he
has so far refused to sign, saying it threatens Czech sovereignty.
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