Canadian Governor starts Czech visit in Roma Museum

ČTK /

December 1, 2008

Brno, Nov 29 (CTK) - Canadian Governor Michaelle Jean started her five-day visit to the Czech Republic with a tour of the Museum of Romany Culture in Brno.

The Romany issue is expected to be the most important theme of Jean's visit to the Czech Republic where she arrived from Slovakia, another stop on her tour of Central Europe.

She will also meet President Vaclav Klaus and Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.

Jean represents in Canada the official head of state, British Queen Elizabeth II.

Canada is the country of destination of some Czech Romanies who apply for asylum there. The influx of Romany asylum seekers to Canada has intensified since last November when Ottawa lifted the visa requirements for Czechs.

The Czech Republic was afraid that Canada could reimpose the visa duty, but the Canadian Minister for Citizenship and Immigration, Jason Kenney, said last week that visa-free relations with Czechs will be preserved.

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