EVENTS CALENDAR

August 19, 2008

Latvian Events Calendar [ view ]

View Conference Program Here

Speeches

A Mission to Consolidate a Common Memory
Speech by György Schöpflin
Speech by Wojciech Roszowski
Speech by Vytautas Landsbergis
Speech by Tunne Kelam
Speech by Girts Valdis Kristovskis
Historical Draft Resolution

Presented with the support of
the Embassy of Estonia, the Embassy of Latvia,  

Statement from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration on the lifting of visa requirements for the Czech Republic and the Republic of Latvia
Ottawa, Ontario, October 31, 2007

Good morning.
I am very pleased to be joined today by His Excellency Pavel Vošalík, (PAV -ull Voss-a-lick), Ambassador of the Czech Republic, and His Excellency, Margers (MAR-dyerz) Krams, the Republic of Latvia's
Ambassador to Canada.
Also joining us is Dorian Prince, the European Union's Ambassador to Canada and Jonathan Faull, Director General of Justice, Freedom and Security of the European Commission.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am announcing today that the Government of Canada is lifting the visa requirements for the Czech Republic and the Republic of Latvia - effective immediately.
This means that citizens of these countries will now be able to visit Canada without a visa.
Canada enjoys strong ties with both the Republic of Latvia and the Czech Republic. Today's decision strengthens these relationships.
As I am sure the ambassadors will agree, this issue is very important to the Czech Republic and to the Republic of Latvia. Approximately 8,400 people from the two countries received temporary visas to visit
Canada last year, something that their citizens will not have to do in the future.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been clear in his commitment to achieving real progress toward visa-free travel to Canada for all EU citizens, a goal shared between our government and the European
Union.
Today's decision is a concrete demonstration of Canada's commitment to the free and secure movement of people between the European Union and Canada.
And we do not take lightly decisions to remove visa requirements for travellers to Canada. Visas are effective tools to protect the integrity of our borders, and to ensure the health and safety of Canadians.
Today's action is the result of an ongoing review by Canada of all of the European Union's new member states. Citizens in half of the 12 countries who have joined the EU since 2004 now enjoy visa-free
travel to this country.
And we will continue to review the remaining EU countries where a visa is still required. This includes sending our technical experts to these countries to work with their officials, providing information on our
criteria and the process to achieve visa exemptions.
Our goal is quite simple: to see all EU member states become visa-free as soon as possible.
Today's decision underlines this commitment. And it will help Canadians build even stronger ties with the Republic of Latvia, the Czech Republic, and the European Union.
Thank you.

Latvia Applauds Canada's decision to Abolish Visas for Citizens of Latvia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia welcomes the decision taken by the Canadian government to grant Latvia visa-free status. Visa-free status will strengthen Canadian-Latvian bilateral relations, significantly contribute to the further development of transatlantic dialogue, promote economic cooperation, as well as expand the possible range of contacts between citizens of both countries.

This visa-free regime comes into effect on October 31st. 2007, meaning that as of this date citizens of Latvia will be able to visit Canada for up to 6 months without having to obtain a visa.? However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia invites citizens of Latvia taking advantage of this visa-free system, to ensure that the expiry date for their passport extends past their expected length of stay in Canada, and that they do not violate residency conditions. Individuals planning to work or study in Canada will still require visas.

Together with Latvia, the Czech Republic has also been granted visa-free status. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia notes with pleasure that the decision adopted today is an extension of the successful cooperation to date between the EU and Canada, as well as the dialogue strengthened at this year's EU-Canada Summit.? It is also a substantial achievement within the context of the full EU, and Latvia is confident (expresses its confidence) that Canada will extend visa-free status to the remaining European Union member-states.

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