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EU-Canada trade deal: Belgians break Ceta deadlock | EU-Canada trade deal: Belgians break Ceta deadlock |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Belgian political leaders have reached a consensus in support of the Ceta trade deal between the EU and Canada, Prime Minister Charles Michel has said. | Belgian political leaders have reached a consensus in support of the Ceta trade deal between the EU and Canada, Prime Minister Charles Michel has said. |
He said an agreement had been found at the latest round of negotiations with Belgium's French-speaking communities who had been holding up the deal. | |
A signing ceremony on Thursday was cancelled after the region of Wallonia vetoed the agreement. | A signing ceremony on Thursday was cancelled after the region of Wallonia vetoed the agreement. |
A Belgian deal would still have to be approved by the other 27 EU members. | A Belgian deal would still have to be approved by the other 27 EU members. |
Under Belgium's federal system, the national government cannot sign the deal unless all six regional parliaments approve it. | Under Belgium's federal system, the national government cannot sign the deal unless all six regional parliaments approve it. |
French-speaking Wallonia, a staunchly socialist region of 3.6 million people, had been leading objections to the deal, demanding stronger safeguards on labour, environmental and consumer standards. | French-speaking Wallonia, a staunchly socialist region of 3.6 million people, had been leading objections to the deal, demanding stronger safeguards on labour, environmental and consumer standards. |
But after the latest round of marathon talks, Mr Michel tweeted: "All parliaments are now able to approve by tomorrow at midnight. Important step for EU and Canada." | But after the latest round of marathon talks, Mr Michel tweeted: "All parliaments are now able to approve by tomorrow at midnight. Important step for EU and Canada." |
He said the heads of the regions had drawn up an addendum to the agreement that answered regional concerns over the rights of farmers and governments. | |
The addendum still needs the approval of Canada and other EU states. | |
Canada called it a "positive development" but stopped short of calling it a done deal. | |
European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted, "Only once all procedures are finalised for EU signing CETA, will I contact PM @JustinTrudeau". | |
But the deal was welcomed by the head of the Walloon government, Paul Magnette. | |
"Wallonia is extremely happy that our demands were heard," he said. | |
"If we took a bit of time, what we achieved here is important, not only for Wallonia but for all Europeans," he added. | |
It took seven years to negotiate Ceta, the EU's most ambitious trade deal yet. | It took seven years to negotiate Ceta, the EU's most ambitious trade deal yet. |
A major stumbling block had been the plan to create new commercial courts to handle disputes between companies and national governments. | A major stumbling block had been the plan to create new commercial courts to handle disputes between companies and national governments. |
Wallonia had feared they would give too much leverage to multinationals. It also wanted more protection for Walloon farmers, who would face new competition from Canadian imports. | Wallonia had feared they would give too much leverage to multinationals. It also wanted more protection for Walloon farmers, who would face new competition from Canadian imports. |
The Ceta wrangling has raised new concerns about future UK negotiations with the EU on a Brexit trade deal. | The Ceta wrangling has raised new concerns about future UK negotiations with the EU on a Brexit trade deal. |