Speaking Notes

Statement from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration on the lifting of visa requirements for the Czech Republic and the Republic of Latvia

Ottawa, Ontario, October 31, 2007

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Good morning.

I am very pleased to be joined today by His Excellency Pavel Vošalík, (PAV –ull Voss-a-lick), Ambassador of the Czech Republic, and His Excellency, Margers (MAR-dyèrz) Krams, the Republic of Latvia’s Ambassador to Canada.

Also joining us is Dorian Prince, the European Union’s Ambassador to Canada and Jonathan Faull, Director General of Justice, Freedom and Security of the European Commission.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am announcing today that the Government of Canada is lifting the visa requirements for the Czech Republic and the Republic of Latvia — effective immediately.

This means that citizens of these countries will now be able to visit Canada without a visa.

Canada enjoys strong ties with both the Republic of Latvia and the Czech Republic. Today’s decision strengthens these relationships.

As I am sure the ambassadors will agree, this issue is very important to the Czech Republic and to the Republic of Latvia. Approximately 8,400 people from the two countries received temporary visas to visit Canada last year, something that their citizens will not have to do in the future.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been clear in his commitment to achieving real progress toward visa-free travel to Canada for all EU citizens, a goal shared between our government and the European Union.

Today’s decision is a concrete demonstration of Canada’s commitment to the free and secure movement of people between the European Union and Canada.

And we do not take lightly decisions to remove visa requirements for travellers to Canada. Visas are effective tools to protect the integrity of our borders, and to ensure the health and safety of Canadians.

Today’s action is the result of an ongoing review by Canada of all of the European Union’s new member states. Citizens in half of the 12 countries who have joined the EU since 2004 now enjoy visa-free travel to this country.

And we will continue to review the remaining EU countries where a visa is still required. This includes sending our technical experts to these countries to work with their officials, providing information on our criteria and the process to achieve visa exemptions.

Our goal is quite simple: to see all EU member states become visa-free as soon as possible.

Today’s decision underlines this commitment. And it will help Canadians build even stronger ties with the Republic of Latvia, the Czech Republic, and the European Union.

Thank you.