Tuesday, December 30, 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

    Fortress Paper sells maker of security threads in bank notes for $17.5 million

    Fortress Paper sells maker of security threads in bank notes for $17.5 million
    Pulp and bank note producer Fortress Paper Ltd. is selling its operations that make security film used in bank notes to Nanotech Security Corp. for up to $17.5 million in cash and shares.

    Fortress Paper sells maker of security threads in bank notes for $17.5 million

    Striking B.C. teachers step up pressure tactics as school year looms

    Striking B.C. teachers step up pressure tactics as school year looms
    Secondary schools in Vancouver are expected to be behind picket lines this week as part of a province-wide attempt to pressure the British Columbia government.

    Striking B.C. teachers step up pressure tactics as school year looms

    Kids removed from Manitoba home: parents charged with confinement, sex abuse

    Kids removed from Manitoba home: parents charged with confinement, sex abuse
    Police in western Manitoba have charged a couple with confining, starving and sexually abusing their children.

    Kids removed from Manitoba home: parents charged with confinement, sex abuse

    Quebec calls inquiry into fire that killed 32 people at seniors' residence

    Quebec calls inquiry into fire that killed 32 people at seniors' residence
    The Quebec government has called a public inquiry into the fire that killed 32 people at a seniors' residence last January.

    Quebec calls inquiry into fire that killed 32 people at seniors' residence

    Saskatoons or Juneberries? Name debate brewing between Canada and U.S.

    Saskatoons or Juneberries? Name debate brewing between Canada and U.S.
    A food fight of sorts could be growing between Canada and the United States over a tiny berry.

    Saskatoons or Juneberries? Name debate brewing between Canada and U.S.

    Newfoundland and Labrador appeals latest loss in hydro fight with Quebec

    Newfoundland and Labrador appeals latest loss in hydro fight with Quebec
    Newfoundland and Labrador is appealing its latest loss in a decades-long fight with Quebec over Churchill Falls power.

    Newfoundland and Labrador appeals latest loss in hydro fight with Quebec