Thursday, January 1, 2026
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

    Union says guards who left border post to backup RCMP were suspended

    Union says guards who left border post to backup RCMP were suspended
    EMERSON, Man. - The union representing Canada's border guards says three of its Manitoba members have been suspended without pay after leaving...

    Union says guards who left border post to backup RCMP were suspended

    TSB authorized Lac-Megantic locomotive's trip to U.S., where it was nearly sold

    TSB authorized Lac-Megantic locomotive's trip to U.S., where it was nearly sold
    MONTREAL - Canada's Transportation Safety Board is shedding light on how the locomotive from the Lac-Megantic disaster ended up at a United States rail yard where it nearly went to auction.

    TSB authorized Lac-Megantic locomotive's trip to U.S., where it was nearly sold

    Wanted B.C. man tracked down by police in Mexico, now in B.C. jail

    Wanted B.C. man tracked down by police in Mexico, now in B.C. jail
    VANCOUVER - A Vancouver-area man wanted by police for allegedly playing a role in the deaths of two associates of the notorious Bacon brothers is behind bars in British Columbia after his arrest in Mexico.

    Wanted B.C. man tracked down by police in Mexico, now in B.C. jail

    Kamloops Teachers' Union Cited For Workplace Bullying, Harassment by WorkSafeBC

    Kamloops Teachers' Union Cited For Workplace Bullying, Harassment by WorkSafeBC
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A teachers' union local in Kamloops has been cited by WorkSafeBC for bullying and harassment in the workplace.

    Kamloops Teachers' Union Cited For Workplace Bullying, Harassment by WorkSafeBC

    Houston, BC: Regional officials lift one wildfire evacuation order

    Houston, BC: Regional officials lift one wildfire evacuation order
    The China Nose Fire was sparked by lightning, grew to about 37 square kilometres and forced the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako to issue an evacuation order late last week to about 120 homes.

    Houston, BC: Regional officials lift one wildfire evacuation order

    Alberta RCMP: 3 teens who drowned in Peace River not wearing life-jackets

    Alberta RCMP: 3 teens who drowned in Peace River not wearing life-jackets
    RCMP say the three aged 14, 15 and 16, went swimming Friday night in the Peace River near Fort Vermilion.

    Alberta RCMP: 3 teens who drowned in Peace River not wearing life-jackets