October 21 (SeeNews) - Canada will eliminate visas for all Romanian citizens from December 1, 2017, as Bucharest will drop its the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said on Friday.
"We reached an agreement with Canada, a reasonable agreement. We are in the position to withdraw the reserves declared against CETA. Romania has no objection to the trade agreement with Canada," Iohannis told reporters in Brussels ahead of the European Council meeting, according to a video footage released by the Council news service
The president added that Bulgaria has reached a similar agreement with Canada. Previously, Bulgaria and Romania opposed CETA because of the failure of Canadian government to lift the visa requirement for their citizens.
The agreement between Romania and Canada on the elimination of visas will take effect gradually: starting May 1, 2017 Canada will eliminate visas for Romanians who had been previously issued a visa, and from December 1, 2017 Canada will eliminate visas for all Romanian citizens.
Canada also imposed a 'snap pack' mechanism, which stipulates that if the number of immigrants becomes too big, it has the right to temporarily reinstall the visa regime.
"This 'snap pack' clause will be available for a period of maximum tree years, after which it cannot be invoked anymore, Iohannis said.
EU heads of state or government meet in Brussels on Friday to address the ongoing negotiations for trade agreements and the modernisation of trade defence instruments.