Saturday, December 27, 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

    Harper rallies Conservative troops at pre-Parliament pep rally in Ottawa

    Harper rallies Conservative troops at pre-Parliament pep rally in Ottawa
    OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper rallied his political troops Monday, marking the start of Parliament's fall sitting with a campaign-style rally laden with economic high-fives and tough talk about protecting Canadian values around the world.

    Harper rallies Conservative troops at pre-Parliament pep rally in Ottawa

    Alberta Tories looking to put instability behind them under Jim Prentice era

    Alberta Tories looking to put instability behind them under Jim Prentice era
    EDMONTON - A new era begins Monday for Alberta's dynastic Progressive Conservatives, once a colossus of stability and constancy, now a feuding family stricken by more staff turnover than a beachside burger stand.

    Alberta Tories looking to put instability behind them under Jim Prentice era

    Parliament resumes sitting today, government expected to try to focus on the economy and job creatio

    Parliament resumes sitting today, government expected to try to focus on the economy and job creatio
    OTTAWA - Like kids going to their first day at school, MPs will be donning their best suits and lugging freshly-filled briefcases back to work today on Parliament Hill for their last fall sitting before the next general election.

    Parliament resumes sitting today, government expected to try to focus on the economy and job creatio

    Harper says no root cause for rise of 'vile' ISIL, as Baird attends Paris talks

    Harper says no root cause for rise of 'vile' ISIL, as Baird attends Paris talks
    OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper denounced Monday the widely held view that fearsome new militants in Iraq and Syria have a "root cause" — a stark characterization that questions the reason for his foreign minister's recent trip to Iraq.

    Harper says no root cause for rise of 'vile' ISIL, as Baird attends Paris talks

    New Immigrants To Canada Not Sold On Express Entry

    New Immigrants To Canada Not Sold On Express Entry
    OTTAWA - A newly released government study suggests newcomers to the country have misgivings about Ottawa's efforts to ensure would-be immigrants possess skills that are in demand in Canada.

    New Immigrants To Canada Not Sold On Express Entry

    Pan-Am Games tickets go on sale today; Games take place next July

    Pan-Am Games tickets go on sale today; Games take place next July
    TORONTO - Tickets for next year's Pan Am Games — including the opening ceremony, a one-night-only show by Cirque du Soleil — go on sale this morning.

    Pan-Am Games tickets go on sale today; Games take place next July