Stockholm, 16/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 16 July, the European Commissioner for Immigration, Jacques Barrot declared in Stockholm that before giving its opinion, the European Commission would try and understand why Canada had decided to impose visa requirements on Czech citizens. At the end of a meeting with EU home affairs ministers, Barrot declared, “we have to examine the objections formulated by Canada against the Czech Republic and verify whether they have some basis to them before we take action”. He added that, “it would be paradoxal if EU citizens are obliged to seek asylum in a third country for discriminatory reasons…If it transpires that Canada's decision is groundless, then we will impose reciprocal rules on Canada”, namely, the introduction of visa obligations for Canadians travelling to the EU. Mr Barrot pointed out that, “criticism made by Canada focus on the situation of certain members of the Roma community and the way they are treated in the Czech Republic”. Since last Tuesday, Canada has imposed entry visas on Czech and Mexican citizens to fight against the wave of requests for asylum made by nationals from these countries (EUROPE 9942). The Czech authorities have provided a robust response to their European partners and have called on them to reintroduce visas for Canadian citizens. So far, they have decided to impose visa requirements on Canadians holding diplomatic passports. Prague is also threatening to unilaterally reintroduce visas on Canadians but this would infringe Schengen rules. One European source said that the issue is very sensitive because if the accusations made by Canada are confirmed, namely, that discrimination is being practised within an EU country against EU citizens, “it would be disgrace to Europe”. In Canada, the problem derives from the fact that asylum is mandated by an indepent authority, which believes that asylum seekers are nations whom must be protected from groups that threaten them. Candada also has a very generous asylum system that accepts 40% of requests for asylum, which explains the concern of the Canadian authorities. The Commission has 3 months to attempt mediation to solve the problem. The European source stated that, “ultimately, it doesn't look like the EU will impose visas on Canadians. The solution resides more with the Czechs, which must do more to rapidly make an effort towards its Roma minority”. Two thirds of Czech Roma declare that they have been victims of discrimination over the last twelve months, more than in all EU countries, according to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights. (B.C./trans/rh)