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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. He said they had agreed on an addendum to the deal which addressed regional concerns over the rights of farmers and governments.
A signing ceremony on Thursday was cancelled after the region of Wallonia vetoed the agreement. The changes will 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. A signing ceremony on Thursday was cancelled after the French-speaking region of Wallonia vetoed the deal.
Under Belgium's federal system, the national government cannot sign the deal unless all six regional parliaments approve it. Wallonia, a staunchly socialist region of 3.6 million people, had been leading objections, demanding stronger safeguards on labour, environmental and consumer standards. It also wanted more protection for Walloon farmers, who would face new competition from Canadian imports.
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. He did not give further details, but the premier of the Flemish region, Geert Bourgeois, said the original text of the trade deal remained the same.
The addendum still needs the approval of Canada and other EU states. "This is a clarification. The actual treaty does not change," he said.
Canada's Foreign Minister Stephane Dion welcomed the announcement. 'Once bitten, twice shy'
"If it materialises, it's excellent news," he said during a visit to Paris, adding he was "cautiously optimistic". Canada's Foreign Minister Stephane Dion said he was "cautiously optimistic" that the deal was back on track.
"Once bitten, twice shy, we hope that the Europeans have agreed between themselves because Canada is ready to sign," he said during a visit to Paris, adding that "if the news you announced becomes reality, it is excellent news."
European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted, "Only once all procedures are finalised for EU signing CETA, will I contact PM @JustinTrudeau".European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted, "Only once all procedures are finalised for EU signing CETA, will I contact PM @JustinTrudeau".
The deal was welcomed by the head of the Walloon government, Paul Magnette. The head of the Walloon government, Paul Magnette, said the region's resistance had yielded big results.
"Wallonia is extremely happy that our demands were heard," he said."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."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.
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.