Wednesday, December 31, 2025
ADVT 
National

Harper hosts EU leaders today for Canada-Europe summit

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 26 Sep, 2014 11:48 AM

    OTTAWA - Prime Minister Harper will host a summit with two top leaders from the European Union today in Ottawa.

    He'll meet with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

    One reason for the summit is to celebrate the end of Canada's free trade talks with the E-U, but there are still some shoals to navigate.

    The Canadian Press has learned there is persistent concern that two unhappy eastern European countries could still derail the deal.

    Canada requires a visa for travellers from Romania and Bulgaria and some diplomats fear one or both of the countries could block ratification of the agreement if the requirement is not lifted.

    Canada imposed the visa on the two countries as well as the Czech Republic to stop an influx of bogus refugee claimants among ethnic Roma applicants.

    The Czech visa requirement ended last year, but the Romanian and Bulgarian ones remain in force.

    Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has expressed concern over human smuggling and organized criminal gangs.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Quebec: Hearings over municipal pension reform underway as protests continue

    Quebec: Hearings over municipal pension reform underway as protests continue
    QUEBEC - Hearings into the Quebec government's proposed municipal pension reform are underway at the legislature as demonstrations continue right across the province.

    Quebec: Hearings over municipal pension reform underway as protests continue

    Body of Ontario journalist missing for days found in field: Police

    Body of Ontario journalist missing for days found in field: Police
    BROCKVILLE, Ont. - A body found in a field in eastern Ontario is that of a journalist who went missing earlier this week, police confirmed Wednesday.

    Body of Ontario journalist missing for days found in field: Police

    Several People Stranded On Highway 99 Near Lillooet, Following Mudslides

    Several People Stranded On Highway 99 Near Lillooet, Following Mudslides
    LILLOOET, B.C. - Several people were stranded overnight on Highway 99 north of Lillooet, B.C., after four vehicles got caught between two mudslides that closed a section of the road.

    Several People Stranded On Highway 99 Near Lillooet, Following Mudslides

    NEB rules in favour of Kinder Morgan over Burnaby Mountain access

    NEB rules in favour of Kinder Morgan over Burnaby Mountain access
    The National Energy Board has sided with Kinder Morgan in a dispute with the City of Burnaby over access to Burnaby Mountain.

    NEB rules in favour of Kinder Morgan over Burnaby Mountain access

    Teen who killed family granted unescorted temporary absence from prison

    Teen who killed family granted unescorted temporary absence from prison
    A British Columbia man who, as a teen, murdered four people and left a two-month-old baby alone in a room with her dead mother, has been granted unescorted temporary absences from prison.

    Teen who killed family granted unescorted temporary absence from prison

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper embarking on annual tour of the North

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper embarking on annual tour of the North
    Stephen Harper is set to embark on his annual trek to the North, his ninth time doing so since becoming prime minister.

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper embarking on annual tour of the North