In order to overcome the final obstacles to signature of a free-trade deal between the EU and Canada (CETA) which, it is hoped, will happen at a bilateral summit in Brussels on 27 October, EU trade ministers unanimously agreed at a meeting in Bratislava on Friday 23 September on annexing to the agreement a statement interpreting the text prepared by the European Commission and the Canadian government.
The statement will aim to address member states’ concerns about sensitive issues, such as protection of public services and social and environmental standards, the precautionary principle and impartiality in the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism.
The draft statement will need to be drawn up in time for a meeting of member states’ ambassadors (Coreper) that will need to endorse it alongside draft Council decisions on the signing and provisional application of CETA on behalf of the EU. All the documents will then be submitted to trade ministers at a special meeting on 17 October.
Slovak Economy Minister Peter Ziga said he had felt strong support from the member states and hoped CETA would be signed on 27 October. He said it was a modern agreement and a unique opportunity in globalisation to ensure conformity with EU laws. He said the EU’s credibility was at stake since if it is not possible for the EU to sign a deal with Canada, then who would it be possible to sign a deal with?
Ziga said he had agreed with the European Commission that some areas are seen by the public as particularly sensitive and the Commission will prepare a statement to provide clarification about controversial issues such as public services and protection of investment. He added that member states had that day given their backing and asked the Slovak Presidency to get trade ministers to sign the deal.
Speaking to reporters a little earlier, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said the statement by the Commission and Canada would confirm interpretation of the agreement and answer legitimate concerns that have been expressed. He suggested the statement should be made legally binding. In Belgium, the government of Wallonia (the French-speaking part of the country) is refusing at the moment to give full powers to federal authorities for the signature of CETA.
The threat of a veto is strongest in Austria (see EUROPE 11615), while Slovenia has concerns about protection of investment. While not opposed to CETA, Bulgaria and Romania will only support it if Canada provides guarantees about visa-free travel for their nationals. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)