Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), Peter Kent made this disclosure when he met with Grenada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter David during a bilateral meeting between both countries on the margins of the 65th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.
“We are aware of the visa issue and let me state that this has nothing to do with the relations between both countries but rather with individuals who took advantage of the economic citizenship programme,” said Minister Kent, promising to follow-up on the progress of the review.
Minister David said that the visa is an important issue at home and a recent study gave Grenada a good rating in the proper enforcement of its passports.
“This continues to be a major issue for our nationals and our hope is that you would examine the review process since we have made tremendous strides in correcting the wrongs of the past,” said Mr. David.
The Canadian Minister told his Grenadian counterpart to encourage Grenadians to participate in the “Emerging Leaders of the Americas Programme (ELAP)”, which was announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad in April, 2009. The goal of this scholarship programme is to support the development of human capital and promote a next generation of Leaders in the Americas while strengthening linkages between post-secondary institutions in the regions and those in Canada.
Canada is one of three countries campaigning for two non-permanent seats on the Security Council of the United Nations.
Permanent Secretary Lana McPhail and Ambassador Dessima Williams accompanied Minister David to the meeting while Minister Kent was accompanied by Mr. Neil Reeder, Director General of Latin America and Caribbean Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
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