Brussels, 20/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - Visiting the European institutions in Brussels on Monday 19 January, Quebec's premier, Philippe Couillard, promoted the gains of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada, and Quebec's assets in this regard.
“Quebec's strategic position as gateway of the North American markets, twinned with the outlook of the CETA, is a unique opportunity for companies from Quebec to conquer new markets”, said Couillard after meetings with European commissioners Pierre Moscovici (economic and financial affairs) and Cecilia Malmström (trade).
Moscovici and Couillard both stressed the importance of the CETA being ratified as quickly as possible. The text of the agreement that was officially and definitively concluded on 26 September is currently undergoing legal scrubbing. It will then have to be translated into the EU languages before being put through the process of ratification. Malmström had said at the beginning of December that she hoped the CETA might come into force in 2017.
Questioned on the fears surrounding the agreement, Moscovici said he preferred “to speak about the hopes” it raises. “Now that our reciprocal positions have been taken into account and the agreement negotiated well, it is mutually beneficial. We have to convince the parliaments. The benefits of this agreement are clear and positive”, Moscovici stated.
Speaking to the European Parliament's delegation for relations with Canada, Couillard spoke about the potential of cooperation with the EU contained in Quebec province's economic development programmes - the Plan Nord, adopted in 2011, and the next Maritime Strategy. (EH)