St. Kitts and Nevis respects the rights of Canada and its international partners to ensure that best practices are not only discussed, but indeed embraced.
Prime Minister the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas commenting on the decision of Canada to require citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis to get visas prior to enter the North American nation, stressed that Canada and St. Kitts and Nevis share the same goals and the same values where immigration and security are concerned.
“Canada wants to know who is coming into and leaving their country, and so do we. Identity management is important to them, and it is important to us. Canada has made it clear that it continues to welcome genuine visitors from St. Kitts and Nevis, and has a number of programmes, including a multiple-entry visa, to make it easy for such legitimate visitors to travel to Canada. For all of these reasons and more, St. Kitts and Nevis will continue to work with Canada, and with all our international partners, to ensure that best practices are not only discussed, but indeed embraced,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He accused the opposition forces in St. Kitts and Nevis to be critical of the decision because elections are around the corner.
“I see that every effort is being made by some to whip Kittitians and Nevisians into a frenzy of fear and trepidation on every conceivable issue. The aim seems to be that disaster, destruction, and desolation are our lot, and their position on our travelling to Canada on a visa is a case in point,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He noted that Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett has already pointed out that the citizens of most Caribbean countries travel to Canada on visas.
“He explained, as well, that the citizens of some 147 countries, world-wide, already travel to Canada on visas. And I am certain that your own research has shown you that effective April 2015, citizens of France, Germany, Switzerland, England, Barbados, Bahamas and other countries which do not now travel to Canada on visas will be required to undergo new screening prior to being approved to enter Canada,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
“St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of the world community of democratic nations, and we will continue to work and collaborate with our international counterparts in order to advance both our individual interests, as well as those of the wider international community,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
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