(Embassy – Anca Gurzu)

European Parliament resolution applies fresh pressure

A new European Parliament resolution has taken aim at Canada’s decision to re-impose visa requirements on the Czech Republic two years ago, directly linking the issue with the ongoing Canada-EU trade talks.
While experts say that threat only amounts to political pressure at this point, even top officials acknowledge the visa issue remains a potential stumbling block and should not be dismissed.

In a March 8 declaration, members of the European Parliament expressed “solidarity with the unequal status of Czech citizens” and called on the European Commission and the European Council “to increase political pressure on Canada in order to set the earliest possible date for abolishing the visa regime for Czech citizens.” The Parliament’s document notes that any further “delay in the termination of the unequal status of Czech citizens could threaten the future ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada.” Read more here.