Calderon urges Canada to lift visa rule

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Thursday urged Canada to drop a year-old rule that forces all Mexican visitors to obtain visas, a requirement that has become an irritant in relations between the Nafta partners.

Canada's Conservative government introduced the visa requirement in July last year to stem what it said was a wave of bogus refugee claims.

"We deeply respect Canada's right to make decisions about its immigration system. However, I must share with you our regret for this series of events and decisions," Calderon said in an address to the Canadian Parliament, winning applause from some opposition lawmakers.

Calderon acknowledged some Mexicans had abused Canada's immigration system but said the visa rule had reduced the number of legitimate Mexican tourists to Canada by 40 percent.

"We are fully disposed to work with the Canadian government so that this temporary measure can be overcome," he said.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said a first step to resolve the dispute was a special program, announced last month, to facilitate visas for Mexican business travelers.

Harper also said a proposed overhaul of Canada's refugee law, now before the House of Commons, aims to solve the problem by making it easier to deport false claimants.

Calderon called for stronger trade ties with Canada, building on the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, or Nafta, although he made no specific proposals.

"I invite you to work together with Mexico, as well as with our common neighbor, to create tighter economic ties and consolidate North America as the most prosperous and competitive region in the world," Calderon said.