DHAKA: The European Parliament president says he is optimistic that a free-trade deal between the EU and Canada can be signed soon despite last-minute obstacles.
Objections by a Belgian region, which opposes the deal, “are for us Europeans to solve”, Martin Schulz said.
He was speaking after meetings in Brussels with Canadian Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland and the head of Belgium’s Wallonia region.
Freeland said “It is time for Europe to finish doing its job”, reports the BBC
After seven years of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta), talks broke down on Friday.
This followed a rejection of the deal by Wallonia. Exercising its right under the Belgian federal constitution, it called for clarity on safeguards to protect labor, environmental and consumer standards.
The deadlock has called into question the EU’s ability to make trade deals. All 28 EU member states support the agreement, which was to be signed next week.
On Saturday (October 22) Schultz held meetings with Paul Magnette, the head of the Walloon government, and Mrs Freeland.
Afterwards he told reporters that the emergency talks have given him “much reason for optimism about the positive conclusion of Ceta as soon as possible.”
He added “I am convinced that, by fully addressing the last remaining concerns, we can turn the apparent European division on Ceta (...) into a victory for every participant.”
“The ball is in Europe’s court,” Freeland said. “We hope that it is possible to find a solution.”
Canada and the EU would eliminate 98 percent of tariffs under Ceta, which was negotiated over five years between 2009 and 2014.
Supporters say this would increase trade between them by 20 percent.
Critics argue that the deal lowers product standards and protects big business, allowing corporations to sue governments.
Wallonia is a region of just 3.6 million people. The EU as a whole has a population of 508 million while there are 36.3 million Canadians.
Belgium's constitution stipulates that each of its regional governments must back the deal before the federal government can sign it.
Wallonia has remained opposed to Ceta, seeing it as a threat to farmers and welfare standards.
The French-speaking region has a strong socialist tradition. Its fears echo those of anti-globalisation activists, who say Ceta and deals like it give too much power to multinationals.
There have also been big demonstrations in several EU countries against Ceta and the TTIP trade talks between the EU and the US.
BDST: 2100 HRS, OCT 22, 2016
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