Latvia welcomes Canada's decision to lift visa regime with Estonia

 

In connection with the statement of September 27 by the Canadian Department of Citizenship and Immigration on the introduction of a visa-free regime with Estonia, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers Canada's decision to be a result of the joint efforts of all seven new EU member states (Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland). It is also a significant achievement within the context of the entire European Union and attests to the efficiency of the work done. Latvia welcomes the activities of the European Commission in defending the interests of the new EU member states in the visa dialogue with Canada and the United States.

Latvia has established a successful dialogue with Canada on the visa-free regime and it looks forward to an ongoing discussion on this matter. It was also one of the main items on the agenda during the state visit to Canada from 20 to 26 September. On 3 March of this year, the Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary of State, Edgars Skuja, initiated the discussion about the visa-free regime during his meeting with the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Canadian Department of Citizenship and Immigration, Daniel Jean. He also presented the Canadian side with the Latvian Interior Ministry's report on Latvia's activities in this regard. On 11 November 2005, a delegation of the Canadian Foreign Affairs Department and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration had made a visit to Riga.

Latvia waived visa requirements for the citizens of Canada to enter Latvia on 1 January 2003.

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