Brussels, 29/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU is determined to sign a full trade and economy deal with Canada very rapidly now that the negotiations are drawing to a close.
EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said as he left a meeting of EU27 trade ministers on Thursday 29 November “we are close to an important and ambitious agreement”. He added that he is “pleased that the EU is united in working together with Canada to close the gaps on the final issues.”
The talks between the EU and Canada started in 2009 and are now drawing to a close. De Gucht and his Canadian counterpart Ed Fast reached agreement on 22 November on the final political tweaking needed to finalise the deal and the parties now need to agree on six key issues - tariff quotas for sensitive farm products; pharmaceutical patents and geographical indications; public procurement; investment; services (financial services, culture and 'Mode 4'); and cars (tariffs, standards and rules of origin).
De Gucht said he didn't just want a deal on paper, but he wanted an agreement that would lead to tangible results and an increase in bilateral trade to the order to €25 billion a year. He did not give a date for concluding the talks, but saying he wanted to “keep up the momentum and close as soon as possible.” Close sources say that if they don't sign the deal before Christmas, it will be right at the start of 2013. (EH/transl.fl)