Though the Czech government has reacted angrily by withdrawing its ambassador from Canada, it has reportedly been encouraging the Romanies to leave the country to get rid of them.

Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer has called the Canadian decision a 'unilateral and unfriendly step'.

In retaliation, he said his government is imposing visa requirements for Canadian diplomats and civil servants to enter the country, though it is a member of the EU where Canadians don't need visas.

Canada has also imposed visa requirements on people from Mexico as Mexicans have become the largest group of refuge seekers here.

Because of its liberal immigration policies, Canada has become a haven for people seeking refugee status on fraudulent grounds.

Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney says visa restrictions on Czechs and Mexicans are necessary to check the rising number of refugee claimants.