02 October 2009

Canadian visas, trade discussed between Canada and EU

The first round of the Canada-EU free trade talks began late this week with the Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon and his visiting Swedish counterpart Carl in Ottawa, Canada.

Both later called it a "productive discussion" on topics such as the Middle East peace process, Iran, Honduras, Sudan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, although changes in the Canadian immigration policy requiring Czech citizens to obtain a Canadian Visa to travel to Canada has caused tension.

"As Sweden will hold the next EU presidency, we look forward to progress at the first full round of negotiations later this month, for a Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement," Cannon said.

Bilt later told reporters that both countries "see eye to eye" on many issues but remain locked over an EU ban on importing seal products and Canada's recent change in Canadian Visa requirements for Czech citizens.

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The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with Canada visa and immigration applications.