Mexico 'really mad' at Canada over imposed travel visa issue

The Mexican ambassador to Canada says his country is "really mad" at the Harper government for the continued imposition of a visa on its travellers in this country.Ambassador Francisco Suarez said that Mexico is so upset that if the issue isn't resolved by next year, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto might have to postpone a planned visit to Canada. That would cast a shadow over the festivities that Mexico and Canada are planning for 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations. "We're now saying it's a major irritant," Suarez said. "We're now really mad. Canada has the most stringent china visa application form for Mexicans of any country in the world."

While Mexico's relations with Canada are generally very good, the visa issue could become an obstacle to deepening economic co-operation in areas such as energy and natural resources, Suarez said.Canada imposed a visa on Mexican travellers in 2009 to curb abuses by a growing number of bogus refugee claimants. Prime Minister Stephen Harper himself has said he would like to see it lifted but says Canada has to reform its own backlogged refugee system first.Suarez said the time has come to carve out a "roadmap" that will keep the issue from dragging on.

If that's not in place by the time Harper is expected to travel to Mexico in the late months of this year or in January, the visit will not be productive."If Harper goes to Mexico, and there's no solution, either a clear solution or a clear path, a roadmap,china tourist visa application with a solution that does not take two years - that's the point - he's going to get a very bad atmosphere," the envoy said.Suarez said Mexicans have an easier time getting visas to the U.S., which has serious border and immigration issues with its southern neighbour, and face no such restrictions in European Union countries.