Czech Interior Minister: Brussels’ stance on Czech-Canadian visa dispute “scandalous”

Czech Interior Minister Radek John has criticized the European Commission and several EU countries for their stance on the visa dispute between the Czech Republic and Canada. At a meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels on Monday, Mr John said the lack of solidarity on the part of the EU was “scandalous”. Canada reintroduced visas for Czech citizens in July 2009 over increasing numbers of asylum seekers from the Czech Republic. The European Commission has repeatedly voiced support for Prague and even considered imposing visas on Canadian diplomats; on Friday, however, a report by the commission said progress on the issue had been made and no special measures were necessary.