Brussels, 23/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU and Canada intend to wrap up their negotiations in the coming weeks on a bilateral comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA).
The meeting between European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht and Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast in Brussels on 22 November enabled “substantial progress” towards an agreement, the Commission stated in a press release on 23 November. De Gucht and Fast have instructed their technical negotiators “to narrow the gaps on the outstanding issues, aiming for a deal in the coming weeks”. “I am pleased that our meeting at a political level has provided the momentum needed to spur on the negotiations into the home strait. It's clear that there has been significant progress but some important work remains to be done”, De Gucht stated. He and Fast will meet again very shortly to continue the negotiations until an agreement is reached. However, no detail has yet been given on the date of the next meeting.
The EU and Canada must reach agreement on six files - intellectual property (including pharmaceutical patents and geographical indications), public procurement contracts, investment (both on the level of market access and protection), services (including financial services, cultural services, and mode 4 on the cross-border movement of workers), automotives (including rules of origin, contingents and standards) and the chapter on access to the agricultural market.
Several sources close to the file have hinted this week that Europeans and Canadians could conclude an agreement in early 2013, in January or February. (EH/transl.fl)